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Pollution Prevention in Enforcement
Mead Paper - Case Study
August, 1998
The Mead Corporation in Chillicothe, Ohio used a P2 SEP (pollution prevention supplemental environmental project) to settle an enforcement action with Ohio EPA. The project involved replacing 36 solvent-based degreasers with 17 aqueous parts washers, resulting in:
elimination of 34 tons per year of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
elimination of over 33,000 lbs. of hazardous waste
reduction in worker exposure to solvents and solvent vapors
Introduction
The Mead Corporation, like many companies today, is realizing substantial environmental and financial benefits from incorporating pollution prevention into their standard operating practices and environmental management systems. Pollution prevention (P2) avoids or reduces generation of waste at the source.
Pollution prevention can be incorporated into environmental enforcement settlements via P2 supplemental environmental projects (SEPs). SEPs are environmentally beneficial projects that a company agrees to undertake when settling an enforcement action. P2 SEPs use P2 techniques to reduce waste generation beyond what is required by law.
Ohio EPA has developed a number of case studies that document the inclusion of P2 SEPs in enforcement settlements. This case study was developed by OPP and Ohio EPA's Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) and the Mead corporation, to illustrate the benefits of using P2 SEPs in enforcement cases.
Facility description
The Mead Corporation, Chillicothe Operations (Mead) is an integrated pulp and paper mill that employs approximately 2500 people. The mill produces coa ...