Sappi Cloquet Mill Receives Environmental Award
In January 2006, the Cloquet Mill received the Randy Marshall 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award for their outstanding efforts to reduce mercury within the mill, and for its leadership in mercury reduction within the industry in the St. Louis River area.
Sappi was chosen as the award recipient based on the company's efforts to substantially improve mill energy efficiency, reduce consumption of fossil fuels to world-class levels, and reduce effluent temperature through a program called the Pinch Project.
The project, conducted in 2003 and 2004, was comprised of a study to reduce cold wastewater streams in the Cloquet Mill's pulp and papermaking process to reduce the mill's heat demand, resulting in major improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction. Through this project, Sappi:
Saved 350 million gallons of water per year; Reduced wastewater effluent flow by 350 million gallons; Reduced wastewater effluent temperature by seven degrees Fahrenheit, saving 100,000 lbs of steam per hour.
Energy that Sappi conserved was equivalent to the amount needed to heat 8,500 Minnesota homes year-round. The mill decreased fossil fuel usage by 16% – the annual fuel consumption of 11,500 automobiles. Other Sappi locations are investigating the use of the "pinch" program to improve energy efficiency.
"This project, along with other energy work over the past year, has improved Cloquet's energy position to world-class and best-in-Sappi status," said Tom Collins, Managing Director, Cloquet Mill. "We are very proud of our employees, and their valuable contributions to the communities where we live and work. We would like to thank the Lake Superior Binational Forum for this honor, and for their commitment to the preservation and restoration of the Lake Superior Basin."
Throughout Sappi's 70-year history, the company has maintained a strong commitment to the environment. Sappi has been recognized for environmental leadership in Maine, Minnesota, Michigan and throughout the world at its other mills.
The Lake Superior Binational Program provides input and analysis to basin governments about critical issues relating to Lake Superior such as discharge of toxic substances, pollution prevention, and restoration efforts. The members of this group are also responsible for recommending strategies for eliminating pollutants and contributing towards the foundations of a new economy.
SOURCE: Sappi Fine Paper North America