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Kingsport mill manager Troy Wilson and public affairs director Jan Martin accept Kingsport's recycling awared from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition. Man and woman holding award in front of banner that says Tennessee Recycling Coalition.

Kingsport Mill Award Highlights Recycling, Sustainability Efforts

Kingsport Mill Manager Troy Wilson and Jan Martin, director of communications and public affairs, accepted the Kingsport Mill award from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition.

Our Kingsport Mill was named the 2024 Business Recycler of the Year by the Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC) during the organization’s annual Tennessee Sustainability Conference. The award is given annually to businesses that practice outstanding leadership in recycling and waste prevention. The Kingsport Mill award recognizes Project Smoky — the conversion of the facility’s uncoated freesheet paper machine into the company’s first 100-percent recycled containerboard facility.

The mill, which resumed operations in January 2023, is home to the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America and is the largest recycled manufacturer in the state of Tennessee. Kingsport Mill now produces approximately 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled linerboard and corrugated medium every year.

“To receive this recognition is a tremendous honor, and it reflects our commitment to set the standard as a leader in sustainability,” says Troy Wilson, manager of the Kingsport Mill. “I am proud to accept this award on behalf of our employees. They are the driving force behind our efforts.”

Established in 1990, the TRC is a non-profit partnership of private business, federal and state agencies, cities and counties, non-profit organizations, trade associations, educational institutions and individuals. It promotes the statewide adoption of waste reduction and recycling, provides information and education, and addresses waste issues in the Volunteer State. In giving the Kingsport Mill award, the organization recognizes the positive impact we have made in Tennessee with the conversion and ongoing operation of the mill.

Circular Economy Gains Attention

The revitalized Kingsport Mill showcases cutting-edge technology and innovative processes that enhance Domtar’s ability to meet the growing demand within the industry. The conversion of the mill aligns strategically with our long-term vision to build a large and competitive packaging business, as well as our commitment to sustainability.

The Kingsport Mill award demonstrates how the facility is leading the charge in sustainable packaging solutions, directly addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time. Every aspect of the mill was planned with sustainability and circular economy principles in mind, including its traffic-reducing location (close to the intersection of Interstate 26 and Interstate 81), the highly efficient industrial vehicles patrolling its interior, and the very concrete on which it is being built.

“The conversion of the Kingsport Mill was one of the largest capital investments in Domtar’s more than 175-year history,” says Jan Martin, director of communications and public affairs for Domtar. “Its innovative processes and cutting-edge technology are leading our long-term vision to build a competitive packaging business.”

During construction, the more than 100-year-old mill repurposed approximately 31,500 tons of concrete and brick left over from the demolition of the previous mill for the foundation of the new facility. Doing so eliminated approximately 1,000 trips that would have been required to transport the material to a construction waste disposal site.

Since the conversion, Kingsport Mill’s daily water usage has declined by two-thirds. We switched from traditional propane or lead acid battery-powered vehicles to a fleet of six lithium ion-powered industrial vehicles to reduce the mill’s carbon footprint and offer safety and maintenance benefits. And, most relevant to this year’s recognition from the TRC, the mill will repurpose 670,000 tons of recycled boxes and paper each year — enough to fill nearly 1.5 Empire State Buildings — once it’s fully ramped up. Before being used to make new containerboard products, the material is screened and cleaned, yielding about 50,000 tons per year of waste byproducts that the mill uses to produce energy and electricity instead of sending it to landfills.

The Kingsport Mill award from the TRC is an important achievement that recognizes the sustainability contributions of our facility and our dedicated team of colleagues. Learn more about the mill and its contributions to our business:

 

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