Pulp and Paper Mill Wastes
F. V. Doutt, Chief Chemist
Champion Paper and Fibre Company
Canton, North Carolina
The topic "Pulp and Paper Mill Wastes" covers such a wide field
that an extensive discussion might evolve from every phase. Since those
who are primarily interested in protection of water resources group
these wastes as from one industry, one must cover the various topics
in a general way to help in explanations.
The pulp and paper industry has been regarded critically for many
years by persons interested in surface-water conservation. There are
several reasons for this. The principal one is the fact that the industry
requires upwards of two billion gallons of water per day to keep up
with the demand. Many of the paper-making units are the only industry
situated on a stream; therefore, any noticeable effect on the stream is
blamed on the one industry.
The industry has struggled to keep up with the demand for pro¬
duction ; and in many cases the use of equipment, capital, and planning
has been all absorbed by new production, without adequate or proper
attention to the results on the water. The highly competitive condition
in the industry has left only a limited margin of profit to apply on
waste correction.
In some areas the actions of the pulp producers has been that of
miners, removing all the useful trees and then deserting the worked-out
areas, so that they have not always accepted their responsibility for
streams. Most of the present-day pulping operations are based on sus¬
tained yield from the forest areas, and greater efforts are being made
to promote better waste correction in the interest of good public rela¬
tions and as essential to conservation. There are no data at hand to
support the statement, but it is believed that water damage due to pulp
and paper mill wastes is lower today than at any time for the past ten
or fifteen years and it is probable that the waste per unit of production
is less.
It is customary in all fields of activity to attempt to simplify think¬
ing by generalizations. Sometimes this leads to confusion rather than to
clearer thinking. The broad term "pulp and paper mill wastes" covers
such a variety of materials that it may create confusion.   These wastes
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