EPA Recognizes IP for Participation in Program

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized International Paper's Franklin Mill, in Franklin, Va. for their participation in EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track program.

Through the performance track program, American businesses are pledging to go beyond what environmental laws require to protect the nations’ air, water, and land.

International Paper Franklin Mill is one of 344 performance track facilities nationally. It is the only paper mill in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region's membership of 28 facilities.

To be recognized as a performance track program, facilities must have:

an outstanding record in environmental management, a demonstrated sustained environmental compliance,  specific environmental achievements, and a commitment to continuous improvement in several self-selected categories of environmental performance.

To be considered for the program, IP already implemented an environmental management system at its Franklin mill that eliminated hazardous material use completely in the pulp bleaching process by substituting chlorine dioxide for elemental chlorine: in 2000, 7.8 tons of hazardous material was used; in 2002, zero tons.

In addition, the company reduced total energy use by 15 percent in two years on one of the lime kilns by installing more energy efficient equipment and running it only when needed.

The performance track is a voluntary partnership program based on the premise that government should complement existing programs with new tools and strategies that protect people and the environment, and also capture opportunities for reducing cost and spurring technological innovation.