EnviroVista Progress Report

Alberta Newsprint Company
EnviroVista Progress Report
March 2013
As part of the EnviroVista Champion status, the Alberta Newsprint Company (ANC) has
committed to reporting on and making public the progress made and planned as per our
EnviroVista Champion Commitments under the Champion Level Stewardship Agreement
dated June 4th, 2008.
The following is progress on the EnviroVista Champion Commitments as per Schedule A
of the Stewardship Agreement (attached).
(a)
(i)
ANC continues to participate in activities related to the Alberta Pulp and
Paper Working Group. ANC has been in the forefront in trying to formally
re-establish the working group as a functional entity. Regardless, ANC is
currently involved in a dissolved oxygen research project with the
participation of the Lakehead University, and NSERC.
(ii)
In 2012 ANC participated through active representation on the Athabasca
Watershed Planning and Advisory Council as an elected member of the
Board of Directors. Throughout 2012 the Athabasca Watershed Council
has been in the process of completing Phase 3 of the Athabasca State of
the Watershed Report (SOW). ANC has provided representation on the
Technical Committee of the Athabasca Watershed Council as chair to
assist in the SOW process.
ANC helped lead the first update to the forestry sector Conservation,
Efficiency and Productivity(CEP) Plan for water use reduction as per the
Alberta Water Council document; Recommendations for Water Conservation,
Efficiency and Productivity Sector Planning September 2008. The CEP plan
update was completed in March of 2012. The Forestry Sector was the first
to provide an update.
CEP Plan
http://www.albertawatercouncil.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Rdq39wTw4pQ%3d&tabid=115
CEP Plan Update – March 2012
http://www.albertawatercouncil.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=w3iPPdgMOuI%3d&tabid=115
(iii)
Local Community Support
In 2012, ANC allocated $10,000 (donations/advertising/merchandise) towards the
following local initiatives and non-profit organizations:
Donations
MS Society Bike Tour
Mink Creek Parent Society
Kidsport
Wellspring Family Resource and Crisis Center
Whitecourt Fish and Game
Alzheimer’s Society
Swan Hills Seniors
Whitecourt Seniors Circle
University of Alberta Hospital Foundation
Canadian Cancer Society-Relay for Life
3A Boys Volleyball
Whitecourt Family Violence
Lorne’s Blanket (homeless shelter)
Friends of Whitecourt Society
RCMP Anthony Gordon Golf Tournament
Fallen 4 Marathon
Alberta Cancer Foundation- Bust a Move
Habitat for Humanity
St. Joseph School-Science Field Trip
Camp He Ho Ha
Ryan Woods in Trust
Hilltop High School Grad Committee
Mayerthorpe COOL Camp
Swan Hills Nursery School
Rotary Club
Little Big Fort
Movember Canada
Whitecourt Interagency Food Bank
Tennille’s Hope Kommunity Kitchen
Advertising
Enviro Kids Guide
The Hospital Activity Book for Children
Community Safety Net – fire safety
Community Drug Alert (SMRT)
WOR Review (Nat’l Wall of Remembrance Assoc.)
Elementary Safety Book for Children
SOS Children’s Safety Magazine
Native Journal
Whitecourt Star (Christmas Songbook)
Teenage Survival Handbook
Drug Facts for Young People
World of Dreams Foundation Show Fund
Merchandise
Mayerthorpe Ladies Rebels Hockey
Whitecourt Search and Rescue
RCMP (Anthony Gordon Golf Classic)
ANC is strongly committed to the support of local organizations, and to the reduction and
minimization of waste. ANC has been able to combine both of these efforts by
collecting/recycling beverage containers and donating all the proceeds. In 2012, ANC collected
and distributed $2,047.70 to the following organization:
Wild Haven Animal Rescue
Christmas Donations
During each holiday season, the owner of ANC has personally donated funds to those in
need. In 2012, our owner distributed a total of $20,500 to the following organizations:
Whitecourt Interagency Food Bank
Tennille’s Hope Kommunity Kitchen
Whitecourt Boys and Girl’s Club
Whitecourt Christmas Hamper
Lorne’s Blanket (homeless shelter)
Build a home for Orphans in Haiti
(iv)
A. ANC continues to be an active member of the Whitecourt Chamber of
Commerce.
B. ANC continues as a regular participant of the Regional Forestry Advisory
Committee.
C. ANC continues to support a mutual aid agreement in conjunction with the
Town of Whitecourt.
(b)
(i)
ANC is currently certified under the AFPA Forest Care Program. ANC
was audited by an external consultant and obtained re-certification in December
2010. This certification is valid for three years. Next audit is scheduled for
December 2013.
(c)
(i)
ANC was one of the developing partners in the creation of the Standards
and Guidelines for the Land Application of Mechanical Pulp Mill Sludge to Agricultural
Land, AENV, February 1999, as amended. http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/7267.pdf
ANC is committed to ensuring that all sludge is land applied in an environmentally sound
manner.
(ii)
ANC strives to ensure compliance of landowners utilizing the sludge by
having the landowner complete a Sludge User Package. Information required in the
package also includes confirmation from the landowner that they have read and
understood the proper use of the material in conformance with the Standards and
Guidelines for the Land Application of Mechanical Pulp Mill Sludge to Agricultural
Land, AENV, February 1999, as amended.
(iii)
A.
ANC continues to conduct research with Alberta Innovates
Technology Futures and other mechanical mills for uses in
well site reclamation and remediation. For information
regarding sludge research visit
http://www.smartsludge.com/
B.
During 2012, ANC continued joint research with Alberta
Innovates Technology Futures with regards to Biochar
production utilizing sludge and wood chips. Biochar
production using these materials could be utilized in the
horticultural and agricultural markets.
C.
Odour from the sludge is best controlled by the landowner
immediately incorporating the sludge after spreading. ANC
encourages landowners in this practice.
D.
Moisture content of the sludge has a great impact on hauling
costs. In 2012, ANC continued to investigate technologies
and process optimization opportunities to decrease moisture
content in sludge produced. Sludge polymer trials were
held in early 2012 as well as trialing different dewatering
fabrics on sludge dewatering equipment.
(d)
(i)
ANC continues to develop better control methodologies and practices to
improve mill performance. Rather than relying primarily on results from C:N:P
ratio analysis, to gauge nutrient addition, the mill has adopted a more proactive
approach by using oxygen consumption as a lead indicator. This approach allows
daily, real time, consideration to be given to determine nutrient loading
requirements and system wasting rates. The utilization of this approach aided
ANC in achieving its best year ever in terms of TSS and BOD discharge levels
and second best performance with respect to the discharge of phosphorous.
Energy management at ANC continues to be a major focus of many efforts
involving all aspects of the operation.
In 2012 ANC achieved an overall reduction of GHG emissions of about 35%
over 2000.
Water usage at ANC also continues to be an area of major focus with usage in
2012 being one of the lowest since start-up in 1990. Please see water usage graph
below for details. ANC is committed to the CEP Plan and will continue to lead
this process with the forest products industry in Alberta.
ANC has formed a team to investigate the use of effluent as a source of water for
mill processes. This team will investigate options in 2013.
ANC continues to monitor phenol discharges and the following graph
shows that phenol discharges are not steadily increasing as 2012 was our lowest
annual average for the last five years.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
ANC is currently in the process of updating the Best Management
Practices Plan (BMP) to include items A to J by May 1, 2013.
NA
Annual reviews of the BMP will be conducted.
Green Procurement - ANC continued the replacement of T12 with T8 and
T5 fluorescent light bulbs. This will result in a significant purchased
electricity savings. This project will continue into 2013.
In 2012, ANC continued the purchasing of services which allows for the
minimization of waste streams from the facility. This includes wood
waste recycling, the purchasing and use of a garbage compactor and
purchasing chemicals in recyclable packaging.
In 2012 cleaning supplies were also purchased where feasible that are
“Green” certified for use in various mill locations. These cleaners replace
solvent and caustic based cleaners that were in use.
ANC also implemented global printer settings to force printing on both
sides.
(vii)
A review of the storage and handling practices for chemicals used in the
mill was conducted in 2012. New tank and pipe labels were identified as
one action plan. Pipe and tank labeling in various areas of the mill has
been completed with updated labels. This work will continue in 2013.
Training procedures and hazard assessments for handling and storing
chemicals are reviewed on a regular basis.
(viii) Ongoing environmental training continues to be an important aspect at
ANC to ensure that all operations continue to be successful. In October
2012, Marshall Environmental Training and Consulting Group, Inc
(METC) was brought onsite to provide industrial activated sludge
operational training. This two day course was an informative introduction
of activated sludge operations for our new employees.
(ix)
The METC industrial activated sludge training, provided in October 2012,
was also made available to both Alberta Environment and Environment
Canada staff. However, government employees were unable to participate
in the training.
ANC with the AFPA gave a presentation to Alberta Environment staff
regarding pulp and paper mill river research projects in Edmonton on
February 9, 2012.
ANC with Alberta Innovates Technology Futures gave a presentation to
Alberta Environment staff regarding sludge utilization research projects in
Edmonton on April 16, 2012.
On August15, 2012, a tour and presentation was given to Alberta
Environment staff of the ANC effluent treatment system.
(x)
ANC strives to reduce emission levels and continually improve each year.
In 2012, ANC exceeded or achieved 4 of our 5 EnviroVista Champion
internal performance targets!
i. TSS Target 0.346 kg/FMT - Achieved 0.154 kg/FMT!
ii. BOD Target 0.114 kg/FMT - Achieved 0.087 kg/FMT!
iii. Water Usage Target 22.4 m3/FMT - Achieved 22.1 m3/FMT
iv. Sewer Loss Target 3.4% - Achieved 3.37 %
The following graphs depict these internal performance targets and display both
our past and present performance achievements regarding these parameters.
(f)
ANC’s external web site is located at www.albertanewsprint.com. Included on
this web site is information regarding the environmental program and activities at ANC.
(g)
This progress report fulfills this commitment.
Notable achievements
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2012 ANC achieved SFI Chain of Custody for the mill site and Woodlands SFI
Certification for our own Forest Management Agreement Area.
ANC Woodlands in 2012 achieved renewal of ISO 14,001 Environmental
Management System Certification
Achieved 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012- ANC only one of four companies in
Alberta to be awarded EnviroVista Champion Level from the Alberta
Government for Excellence in Environmental Performance.
Continuously ranked in top 3 mills of Canada for BOD and TSS (liquid effluent
discharge quality)
Forest Care Mill Re-Certification Achieved in 2010
Implemented ground breaking Mountain Pine Beetle control plans now used
across the Province to sustain forest health
1998 Emerald Award for Company Environmental Performance for Large
Business Category
No environmental regulatory incidents for over 15 years on our Forest
Management Area or at the mill.
Exceptional reforestation success for over 22 years with standards consistently
met or surpassed
Conservation of key Caribou areas
For further information please contact ANC at 1-780-778-7000 or visit us at
www.albertanewsprint.com.