A company in eastern Washington, USA, is developing a new way to make paper pulp using a fiber source abundant to the area--wheat straw. Columbia Pulp is building a new facility near Dayton, Wash., in the heart of the state’s wheat and alfalfa country.

Farmers used to view wheat straw as waste. They’ would burn it, which would create thousands of tons of air pollution each year. For years the Washington Department of Ecology has worked to reduce pollution from burning wheat straw.

 

 

John Begley, Columbia Pulp CEO, said that turning formerly wasted straw into pulp will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

"From a sustainability point of view, it has a big impact on the air quality of eastern Washington," Begley said. "And it is a renewable resource. Obviously you’re growing a tremendous amount of wheat straw every year in eastern Washington." Also, the process reportedly uses less heat and fewer chemicals than wood pulp facilities.

Begley said a final product would be similar to paper we use now — straw has been used for centuries in making paper products. Plans are in the works for more straw to be used to make towels, paper tissue, and food containers that could replace styrofoam.

The facility, with its unique processes, would be the first of its kind in North America. Construction starts next month and should wrap up by late 2018.