Raw materials: The three main sources for pulp production are recycled paper, trees (soft and hard wood) and byproducts (ex. wood chips, saw dusts, etc.). The logs are debarked, and some are chipped down and both are delivered to the pulp industry for conversion. Water is also required throughout the process in great quantity.
PRIMARY PRODUCTION (Pulping)
Logs, recycled papers, and byproducts are delivered to pulp industries where they go through the process of being turned into pulp (either mechanically or chemically). In the mechanical process, the materials are grounded to separate the fibres. In the chemical process, heat is added to the materials to remove the lignin. After the materials are broken down, the fibres are …show more content…
The finished pulp products and other materials delivered to the paper mill are further broken down into what is known as slurry (the main material used for making paper products). The three main procedures in the papermaking process is forming, pressing and drying. In the first process, the slurry enters the headbox then the wire section where water is removed until a thin, wet mat is produced. During the second process, the thin mat is transferred to the next machine to be pressed many times and more water is removed until the mat is strengthened enough so it can be stand being dried. In the drying process, water is removed even further until the mat is dry enough to be removed. Afterwards, the end product will enter a machine called the Calendar that it could be strengthened and the surface is smoothened it is desired.
The finished product of the above processes is then subjected to further steps before it can be shipped out. For example, the sheets can be coated to “[improve] the opacity, lightness, surface smoothness, lustre and colour-absorption ability of [the] paper.” After all this steps are done, the paper is reeled into a large paper roll and transported for conversion and/or …show more content…
In landfills, paper products would slowly decompose over time and would likely emit harmful pollutants such as methane, a greenhouse gas. Also, paper products take up a big part of landfill areas. The world is gradually trying to get people to recycling the majority of paper products they consume. For example, in Metro Vancouver, there is a policy that makes products such as recyclable paper, green waste, corrugated cardboards and other non-paper products since they can be recycled and/or reused.
During incineration, paper products are burned and this is an effective way to decrease solid wastes but other form of waste is formed as a result. The issue is that during the incineration of solid wastes, harmful emissions would be released into the atmosphere. The same case is true for landfills as solid wastes slowly decompose and releases harmful emissions.