SCA Barton Mill Receives Environmental Award

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has awarded one of two 2004 Pollution Prevention (P2) Achievement Awards to SCA Tissue’s Barton, Ala., facility.

The annual award is intended to recognize businesses and industries in Alabama that develop and implement processes and practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants at the source. SCA received its award in early April 8 during an Alabama Environmental Management Commission meeting in Montgomery, Ala.

SCA was recognized for its storm water drainage system and wastewater treatment plant; use of chemicals that are “low hazard” as defined by the Risk Management Rule and the Process Safety Management Rule; rating as a “conditionally exempt, small quantity hazardous waste generator”; chlorine-free bleaching stages; and, use of virtually 100 percent recycled fiber.

“Construction of the Barton facility supports SCA’s desire to be a sustainable company,” says Jim Haeffele, Director of Southeast Operations for SCA Tissue, commented. “Our team was committed to ensuring that we operated well within permitted levels from day one.”

Adds Michael Dillon, Manager of Technical Services and Environmental Affairs for SCA Tissue, “We are very proud to receive such a high level of recognition for the planning and engineering of our Barton facility. I believe this award also acknowledges the work of our local Barton Environmental Team, who not only put forth a great effort during the initial implementation phase, but continue to drive positive results by maintaining a high standard of operations on a daily basis.”

SCA broke ground on the Barton facility in late October 2002. Tissue converting operations began in April 2003; the distribution warehouse opened in December 2003; paper production began in late March 2004. The operation produces brown and white towel and napkin products for the away from home tissue market.