The purpose of this emission scenario document (ESD) is to provide a realistic worst-case emission scenario for chemicals used at recovered paper mills. The general information about the processes and chemicals used is derived from literature data and several reports from the European Union and the United States. The emission estimation methods given in this ESD are based on those developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with parameter defaults reflecting Canadian operations.

This ESD on Recovered Paper Mills was developed in 2004 along with two sister documents, an ESD on Kraft Pulp Mills, and an ESD on Non-integrated Paper Mills. Although they were designed as stand alone documents, by their nature they represent different phases of the life cycle of paper products. The ESD on Kraft Pulp Mills represents the production stage when pulp is first produced. The ESD on Non-integrated Paper Mills is representative of the industrial phase of the life cycle, when the pulp is converted to paper and/or board products. This ESD on Recovered Paper Mills is illustrative of the recovery stage, when paper products are recovered, reworked and recycled back into the community.