LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS OF NEWSPRINT - EUROPEAN SCENARIOS

Inventory calculations are used to compare different scenarios for the entire life cycle of newsprint in Central-European market area. From the analyses it is concluded that to make a major impact on the landfi ll problem in Germany, area chosen as a reference, burning waste paper for electricity generation is ecologically preferable to deinking and re-use. Based on the calculations, a provisional but ecologically sou nd model is outlined which would greatly ease the load on landfill sit es and involve low consumption of non-renewable fuels and low emission s. In this model, the load on landfill sites would be reduced by maxim izing paper collection (80%) and total emissions also reduced by using primary fibre, i.e. pressure groundwood and TCF chemical pulp only. A ll the paper produced in this way would be burned in a back-pressure b oiler plant, and the electricity and heat generated would be used inte rnally within the system. ff a use could be found for all of the ''sur plus '' heat, a situation would be reached in which all emissions woul d be lower than is the case at present.