Characterization and evaluation of potential impacts in the environment of residual fiber from cellulose

The search for alternative final destinations for residue from industrial processes is a growing problem. Pulp and paper industries generate large amounts of residue, which are not always reused or do not receive adequate final destination. An alternative is its reuse, using the final disposal of the residue in the soil, for its potential to inactivate part of the chemical compounds, allowing its use as agricultural inputs of low cost. The purpose of this study was to analyze the final residue of the treatment plant of a pulp and paper industry using the kraft pulping method, which allows a high resistance and low lignin cellulose pulp with the advantage of recovering the chemicals used, reducing costs. In order to pre-evaluate this disposal possibility, this study carried out the classification of the waste classifying the hazardousness of the cellulose fiber, and its behavior under solubilization and leaching tests. The results of the analysis showed that the reactivity characteristics and solubilization of substances in water above the maximum permissible value (MPV), characterizing the residue as non-inert and Hazardous Class I due to the presence of S2- releasing H2S in concentrations above than those established by the regulations.