Future of Environmental Control Research in the Pulp and Paper Industry (2000), 2001 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Allan Springer--This paper is a personal view of the direction of future environmental research that the paper industry should take from the year 2000. The author is the writer of the well know text book "Industrial Environmental Control: Pulp and Paper Industry". The history leading to the current sustainability paradigm is discussed. This paradigm leads to the logical conclusion that the way to handle pollution problems is not to create the problem in the first place. In current vernacular this is called pollution prevention and historically has been called pollution abatement through process modification. Potential areas of research in water, air, residuals, secondary fiber and environmental management systems are presented. The paper industry has made very significant progress in pollution abatement. A bright future for pollution prevention projects awaits. The industry has great potential to be economically and environmentally sustainable. The paper industry can comply with the triple bottom line requirements of the future.