Georgia-Pacific's team has focused on reducing unnecessary water usage, one of the mill's key environmental metrics, and a recent project has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) EnergyStar Top Project for 2020.
"As a company, we believe in being responsible stewards of our natural resources," said Mike Griffith, general manager of the Palatka mill. "Since 2018, we have placed considerable focus on how much water we use daily and how much we can save. This work exemplifies the type of collaboration and results we see across the Palatka team every day and I'm proud of the team for identifying opportunities that strengthen and improve our operations and conserve resources."
The mill's kraft papermaking department team achieved a 40% water reduction in a 10-week period through investments in improved equipment and implementing ongoing monitoring of water usage.
The Palatka mill has a history of striving for environmental excellence. The mill was the first paper mill in the world to achieve the EPA's ENERGY STAR Challenge for industry, which requires improving energy intensity by 10% in less than five years. Palatka improved by 12 percent between 2016 and 2018.
The Palatka mill employs approximately 1,000, with an annual payroll and benefits of more than $70 million.
About Georgia-Pacific
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals.
