Wood Waste Seeks Home as Mill Closes in Newberg, Oregon
SPFiber.jpg

PORTLAND, OR -  Tons of urban wood waste collected in Portland, Oregon are likely to end up in landfills following the suspension of production at a major paper mill customer in Newberg, OR.

Some 60,000 tons of wood waste - construction lumber and panel, broken pallets, and other wood materials collected by the city of Portland were burned as bio fuel by SP Fiber Technologies at its Newberg linerboard paper plant. The mill received more than a hundred thousand tons of Portland’s salvaged timber last year, reports James Cronin in the Portland Business Journal. 

SP Fiber Technologies, which is updating the production line in Newberg, is owned by WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK), formed this summer from the merger of Rock-Tenn and MeadWestvaco. WestRock is one of the world's largest paper and packaging companies with $15 billion in annual revenue and 42,000 employees in 30 countries ,and  275 operating and business locations around the world

Cronin says the Newberg mill's age exempted it from new federal regulations, allowing it to burn treated, laminated and painted wood, along with railroad ties and other construction materials. Other mills can burn clean, "blonde" wood that meet federal standards. But painted and other contaminated wood will be forced to landfills.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user billesler
About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.