Fiber-to-fiber--a case study at Domtar, Cornwall.

APPLICATION: The use of pulp and paper mill residuals to grow more trees is a largely unexplored benefit of papermaking. Land application of mill residues is silviculturally beneficial, economically sensible, ecologically sustainable and, environmentally responsible.

At its Cornwall, Ontario pulp and paper mill, Domtar Inc. has developed a unique program for handling mill process residues. Mill personnel accomplished an about-turn from landfilling to recycling by implementing a comprehensive land application program for the beneficial use of residuals including paper mill biosolids (PPMB) on land.

Given the ready availability of PPMB and other organic residuals such as bark and wood waste from mill operations, two operational silvicultural treatments were developed using these materials. The two treatments are mulching and fertilization. The implementation of these two treatments included the development of the various operational components: application rates, placement of materials, development of equipment capable to economically transport and spread large volumes of materials in both pre- and post-tree establishment situations, application techniques, and timing of applications.

Silvicultural applications of pulp and paper mill (combined) biosolids to fertilize production hybrid poplar and silver maple plantations at environmentally appropriate rates have a significant positive yield effect evident from the current results. Fertilizer treatments added to mulching also appear to increase growth.

There are cost advantages from using mill residues as mulches instead of using standard chemical and mechanical site preparation and initial stand tending inputs. Fiber to fiber--the use of mill residuals generated from processing of trees into pulp and paper--to grow more trees is a largely unexplored potential benefit for the pulp and paper industry. Land application is silviculturally beneficial, economically sensible, ecologically sustainable and environmentally responsible. View this paper online at http://www.tappi.org/index.asp?pid=28865

George Velema is with Domtar Inc., Cornwall Mill, P.O. Box 40, 810 Second Street, West Cornwall, ON K6H 5S3, Canada, Peter Neave is with Neave Resource Management, R.R. #1, Brockville, ON K6V 5T1, Ganada. Email Velema at [e-mail].

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