The Blackburn mill is now planning to be the first Sappi mill in Europe to obtain its Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) site licence.

"We feel that the system will encourage the business to close the production loop with regard to waste and energy use," said Blackburn mill environmental officer, Anna Lewis.

She said that the award of ISO 14001 would also allow the mill to develop more environmentally sustainable operating practices as a result.

Independent certification body Det Norske Veritas certified the mill.

Sappi Blackburn has appointed seven teams of mill employees that will aim to improve the mills performance in the following areas:

* Waste elimination, minimisation and recycling;

* Selection of more environmentally friendly materials;

* Reduction of point source and fugitive emissions;

* Increasing energy efficiency;

* Reduction of water use;

* Reduction of significant noise emissions;

* Elimination of significant environmental risks.

The mill is also aiming to establish a fully integrated environmental management system by integrating the Occupation Health & Safety standard (OHSAS 18001) into its existing ISO systems in the future.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems and performance.

Sappi Blackburn has a production capacity of 110,000 tonnes of coated woodfree paper.

Story by Andy Scott