Burning Plastics Smurfit-Stone Container's pulp mill located west of Missoula, Montana is the state's largest source of toxic emissions to our air. Since the mid-1980's the pulp mill has been burning plastics and waste -- about 17 tons a day -- generated by the mill's cardboard recycling operation. This unnecessary industrial process creates highly toxic and persistent dioxins that pose a threat to the environment and our health. CMCR and other Montana citizen groups have forced the company to implement new pollution prevention measures, but there is still much work to be done. CMCR is still trying to get the industry to change its ways - to prevent further pollution and halt the practice of burning plastics. CMCR is looking for people to lead a media campaign and help us do outreach. For more information on the Burning Plastics Campaign, contact CMCR at cmcr@wildrockies.org History of our Chlorine Free Montana Campaign Smurfit-Stone Container's Missoula-based pulp and paper mill is Montana's largest air polluter - in 1999 over 3.2 million pounds of reportable toxins were discharged into Missoula valley's airshed. The dioxins that are created by the burning of plastics are known to cause cancer, neurological, immune, reproductive and developmental disorders in human and wildlife populations. Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers has a long history of challenging the legality of Smurfit-Stone's practices, which has forced the industry to adopt some pollution prevention measures, such as the discontinuation of the plant's chlorine bleaching. Stone Container; (Missoula, Montana) Toxic Release Inventory (1987-1985 ) Press Release (5/21/98); Environmental Lawsuit filed by Montana Citizen Groups settled with Stone Container $650,000 for Pollution Prevention at Western Montana Pulp Mill Citizens Cite 'Tremendous Victory' - Over One Million Dollars for Pollution Prevention at Western Montana Pulp Mill Groups say Smurfit-Stone is violating agreement to prevent pollution at Montana pulp mill   Some of the papers we have available for you to use are:   Stone Container's Corporate Report Community Right to Know TRI Reporting regarding Stone Container's Missoula, Montana Pulp Mill 7-Point Citizen Petition Exposes Stone Container's Toxic Filth, Public Health Threats and State Indifference Citizen Petition to Stone Container Corporation and the Board of Health & Environmental Sciences to protect the public health, welfare and environment of Missoula valley Montana CHEER Petition Presented The Pulp Reporter Chlorine to Dioxins, Pulp & Paper Industry Facts, Stone Container, Missoula, MT Facts  Overall Health Effects Associated with Dioxins  Totally Chlorine Free Bleaching (TCF) versus Elemental Chlorine Free Bleaching (ECF) Pulp and Paper Activists Groups & Resources Cluster Rules Fact Sheet Pulp And Paper   Back to Home