Product From Residue: Standard Setting for Alkaline Mill Residues in Quebec, 1998 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Alain Liard

Domtar Innovation Center

Richard Lessard

Cascades East Angus

Jacques Leclerc

Industries James Maclaren Inc.

Louis Désilets

Quebec Forest Industries Association

In 1995 the Quebec Forest Industries Association joined with other industrial groups and the Quebec Standards Office to prepare standards for the use of alkaline residues as agricultural lime substitutes. The Standard setting committee assembled representatives from the producers, users and government departments of Agriculture and Environment and arrived at a consensus on a proposed new standard. This standard was submitted to public comment and was adopted in late summer of 1997. This new commercial standard covers various alkaline residues including those from kraft pulp mills (lime mud, green liquor dregs, slaker grits) and wood ashes. The standard provides performance requirements for the products with respect to agricultural liming and also includes quality requirements for metals and specific organic contaminants. These requirements are very protective of the environment and are acceptable to the producers as they allow transformation of regulated wastes into commercial products.