This environmental guidance is for businesses in the paper and cardboard industry. This includes paper and paperboard manufacturers and businesses that produce paper and paperboard products. It covers manufacturing of:
- paper and paperboard
- corrugated paper and paperboard
- paper containers and packaging, such as bags, boxes, cartons, cases, sacks, paper void-fill and paper wrap
- household and sanitary goods, such as tissue paper and personal hygiene products
- paper stationery, such as writing paper, envelopes and labels
- wallpaper
- speciality paper and board, such as coated, laminated and impregnated paper.
This guidance is also relevant to businesses that carry out finishing activities, such as coating, covering, laminating, embossing and applying self-adhesive coating to paper or cardboard.
If you publish, print or finish written materials or pictures, see our guidance for printing and publishing.
If you manufacture, treat or process wood or timber products, see our guidance for wood and timber products.
Environmental impacts of paper and cardboard businesses
Paper and cardboard businesses can have a number of impacts on the environment. Examples include:
- air emissions such as dust from movement of materials and vehicles, and fumes from bleaches and other chemicals
- energy use from equipment and machinery, as well as lighting, heating and cooling
- land contamination from accidental spills of solvents and oils or from the past use of the site
- noise and vibration from materials handling, vehicles, equipment and machinery
- waste disposal such as sludge and old machinery, equipment and containers
- water discharges from material storage facilities and wastewater treatment plant
- water use such as in the production process and for cooling.
How can NetRegs help you?
Our guidance could help you to:
- avoid prosecution and receive fewer visits from environmental regulators
- increase efficiency and productivity
- reduce your operating costs
- be more likely to obtain business from government bodies and large businesses that require their business partners to manage their environmental impacts effectively
- improve your reputation amongst staff, customers and the public
- increase the chance of securing funding to expand your business by demonstrating that your environmental impacts are well managed.
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