Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge; a Soil Amendment and Compost option for Landfill Diversion for South-Africa

Abstract

In South-Africa, approximately 30% of all recycled paper is being disposed into landfill sites or incinerated. Using this type of hazardous and industrial waste as a resource is essential to reduce landfilling of organic waste. In this study, Pulp and Paper-Mill Sludge (PPMS) has been evaluated under two possible pathways contributing to landfill diversion and secondary use: compostability and the use of PPMS as a soil amendment. A short review of existing studies on PPMS using these two pathways as alternative for secondary use and within the South-African context have been undertaken. This investigation showed that the addition of PPMS to soil as an amendment does not negatively affect sol fertility. The potential of PPMS as a soil amendment or compost contribute to improving factors allowing for increased soil fertility resulting in a better soil structure. Such effects from either using PPMS as an amendment or compost will directly increase resistance of soils to degradation ultimately allowing for reduced erosion potential of soils.