ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS.

Abstract

Environmental demands upon the pulp and paper industry have increased to the point where the industry is now spending about 30% of its capital on pollution control facilities, and those demands are expected to continue through 1983. Present regulatory requirements, many of which will not achieve measurable environmental improvements but will actually have an adverse effect upon the overall environment, can also be expected to have a profound impact upon future technology and technological trends. Large amounts of capital are being mandated for these nonproductive facilities leaving little capital for the development of much needed new technology. Present environmental regulations based upon the availability of technology regardless of environmental needs are acting as a deterrent to the development of effective problem-oriented technology. There is a need today for the development of more cost-effective controls as well as a major change in regulatory philosophy that will permit the development of site specific controls designed to resolve environmental problems rather than the mere implementation of technology regardless of environmental needs. The following topics are detailed - capital demands; new technology; impact of PL 92-500; approaches to environmental problems.