In response to increasing environmental concerns, the government mandated that every paper mill should have and operate an efficient effluent treatment plant (ETP) to treat wastewater before discharge

Byline: Amit Mittal Founder and MD Chandpur Paper

Paper is often considered an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, but its manufacturing process tells a different story, one that involves high water usage, chemical waste, and significant energy consumption. In India, the environmental footprint of paper production is increasingly under scrutiny. With rising concerns around sustainability, regulatory bodies now mandate effluent treatment plants and real-time wastewater monitoring to control pollution. In response, some paper manufacturers are rethinking their operations while adopting water recycling systems, reducing waste, and embracing energy-efficient practices. These changes mark a crucial shift, proving that with the right approach, paper can move closer to being truly sustainable.

Understanding the Impact
Conventional paper manufacturing is a highly resource-intensive process. It involves pulping wood or recycled fibers, followed by bleaching, drying, and pressing- each stage consuming substantial amounts of water and energy. If left untreated, the resulting wastewater can release harmful substances such as chlorine compounds and organic matter into local ecosystems. Additionally, the process generates significant solid waste, including sludge, production trimmings, and defective material.

Rethinking Water Use
One of the biggest areas of concern is water. In response to increasing environmental concerns, the government mandated that every paper mill should have and operate an efficient Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) to treat wastewater before discharge. These facilities must ensure that their treated water meets the environmental standards set by regulatory authorities. To further strengthen oversight, mills are also required to maintain online effluent monitoring systems that run continuously, tracking parameters like biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and total suspended solids (TSS). This real-time data is transmitted directly to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ensuring transparency and accountability. These measures have spurred many manufacturers to upgrade their water treatment infrastructure and improve compliance, ultimately supporting cleaner production processes.

Minimising Waste at the Source
Alongside water, material waste is another critical issue. Many paper mills are now revisiting their input-output ratios to identify inefficiencies. Trimmings and rejected rolls, for instance, can often be reintroduced into the production line rather than being discarded. Some units have shifted toward lean manufacturing practices—streamlining operations to use fewer resources and generate less waste. Waste-to-energy solutions are also being explored, where leftover biomass or sludge is processed to produce steam or electricity, helping reduce dependence on external energy sources.

Embedding Sustainability in Operations
Today, Sustainability isn’t just about technology, as it’s also about mindset. Manufacturing units that have seen meaningful progress typically embed eco-conscious practices at every level of operation. This involves training the workforce on environmental protocols, setting internal targets for water and energy savings, and building accountability across departments.

Some facilities have adopted internal sustainability audits, encouraging teams to identify areas of improvement in real time. When operational decisions from sourcing to packaging are made with environmental impact in mind, the outcome is more holistic and enduring.

A Broader Industry Shift
Although these practices are not yet widespread across the entire paper industry, they are gaining traction. Growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, combined with policy shifts and environmental regulations, is pushing more manufacturers to take notice. Efforts to make paper production more sustainable reflect a broader realization, i.e., industries must evolve to align with ecological limits. And while paper will likely remain a staple in packaging, publishing, and hygiene sectors, its environmental credentials will increasingly depend on how it is produced. The question of whether paper can be eco-friendly has no single answer. But it is clear that the path forward lies in reducing resource use, improving recycling, and holding production processes to higher environmental standards. For manufacturers willing to invest in innovation and rethink their methods, paper can become a truly sustainable one.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication