Impacts of wood processing

Impacts of timber processing activities on water quality and mahinga kai.

The production, use, and recycling of paper has a number of adverse effects on the environment which are known collectively as paper pollution. Pulp mills contribute to air, water, and land pollution. Discarded paper is also a major component of many landfill sites, accounting for about 35% by weight of municipal solid waste (before recycling). Even recycling paper can be a source of pollution due to the sludge produced during deinking. Environmental issues associated with sawmills and wood manufacturers primarily includes solid waste generation, air, noise, and wastewater discharge. Wastewater effluent from sawmills is generated from runoff from log yards and log ponds. Wastewater is also generated from chemical coating of wood. Wood preservation chemicals are highly toxic and varied.