Improving the Environmental Performance of Pulp and Paper Effluents and Emissions Between 1981 and 2001, in the Province of Québec, 2002 Environmental Conference Proceedings

F. Flynn and D. Giguére

Waste waters, atmospheric emissions, and mill waste from Québec pulp and paper mills have been subject to provincial regulations since 1979. In 2000, total suspended solids and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand contained in waste waters reached approximately 33 633 t and 19 778 t, respectively. Although production has increased 42% since 1981, these numbers represent a drop of 85% in total suspended solids and 96% in 5-day biochemical oxygen demand. During the same period, moreover, water consumption has dropped by 35%. Since 1994, reductions have also been achieved with dioxins and furans (91%) and absorbable organic halogens (46%). Emissions of particles, nitrogen oxides, total reduced sulphur compounds, and sulphur dioxide dropped respectively 72%, 21%, 95%, and 45% from 1990 to 2000. Of the 3.47 million tonnes of waste produced overall in 2000, 34.7% was landfilled and 36.5% was treated by combustion.