Cloquet Mill Effluent TSS Reduction project recognized for sustainability and for reducing wastewater to public water sanitary system

BOSTON, MA—Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, was named a recipient of the American Forest & Paper Association’s (AF&PA) 2023 Leadership in Sustainability Award for Water Management as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Sustainability Awards program.

Sappi was recognized for its “Cloquet Mill Effluent TSS Reduction” project, designed to find a new chemical treatment program to reduce the TSS (total suspended solids) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) substances in the Cloquet Mill’s effluent, reducing the load being sent to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) in Minnesota.

As a result of the project’s success, it achieved immediate and consistent reduction in TSS of 11,500 lbs. per day, a reduction in BOD of 1,800 lbs. per day, and a reduction in mercury to WLSSD from 37.9 ppt to 6.3 ppt.

“The Cloquet Mill’s Effluent TSS Reduction Project is a testament to Sappi’s dedication to get it right,” says Tom Radovich, Managing Director, Sappi Cloquet Mill. “We hope this project serves as an example to others producing wastewater within the industry that they can achieve similar results through capital investments and consistent application of innovation and R&D to boost sustainability within their local communities. Receiving this recognition from AF&PA is an honor, and we look forward to driving sustainability even further in our operations and our products.”

There have been three phases of the program between 2015 and 2022. Phase I and Phase II focused on introducing a coagulant to the clarifier and reducing chemicals needed for pH control for the paper mill clarifiers, reducing TSS. Phase III, finalized in 2022, addressed the old program chemistry, which was not effective for both clarifiers due to the chemistry differences in the two separate influent streams. To remedy this, Sappi trialed three new chemical programs with three different vendors to find a coagulant that worked in both systems, leading to the current resolution. This process is a testament to Sappi’s commitment to fine-tuning and perfecting existing systems and displays the company’s stance on sustainability.

Since the start of Phase I in 2015, the Cloquet Mill’s effluent TSS has been cut in half. As a result of the project’s significant impact, Sappi North America has saved approximately $304,000 YTD annually due to reduced TSS treatment charges from WLSSD, with an estimate to save approximately $450,000 by the end of 2023. The substantial reduction in mercury to WLSSD has also allowed the organization to achieve compliance with its mercury effluent limit for a record of 10 consecutive months.

AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Sustainability Awards is one of the most comprehensive sets of sustainability goals established for a U.S. manufacturing industry, nearly a decade ago. The Sustainability Award winners demonstrate the industry’s long-held commitment to improving practices to manufacture sustainable products for a sustainable future.

To learn more about Sappi and its sustainability initiatives, please visit: https://www.sappi.com/.?For a full list of winners, please visit: https://www.afandpa.org/priorities/sustainability/sustainability-awards#water.