Paper, Wood Products Manufacturers Commend EPA for Finalizing Non-Hazardous Materials Rule

American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizing its Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials (NHSM) rule, which expands the list of materials recognized as “non-waste fuels” to include paper recycling residuals, processed construction and demolition wood and creosote-treated railroad ties.

“We’re pleased that EPA has finalized this long-awaited NHSM rule, which lists three important fuels for our industry. The rule provides assurance that most of these materials can be used for their energy value in industrial boilers instead of being incinerated or landfilled. However, we are disappointed that the rule may discourage capturing energy value from some paper recycling residuals. We encourage EPA to act quickly on listing more types of railroad ties. About two-thirds of our energy needs are already met through carbon neutral biomass; classifying these materials as eligible fuels avoids wasting these energy-rich materials and further decreases our reliance on fossil fuels.”