Environment Protection and management are integral part of TNPL's activities. TNPL has taken several measures for protecting the environment in line with its commitment for sustainable development. In its choice of raw materials, sources of energy, and production processes, as well as in product development, the objective is to minimize the pollution load on environment. In all its business operations TNPL takes social, economic and ecological considerations seriously.

TNPL is an unfolding saga of commitment to sustainable development. Guided by principles of environmental responsibility, TNPL manufactures and markets paper using materials and processes that help minimize waste, conserve resources and protect Earth's bio diversity. Its unfailing commitment to clean production techniques with minimum pollution load stand out as a bench mark in the industry.

Recognizing, TNPL's commitment to preserving nature, the World Wide Fund for Nature - India (WWF) has endorsed TNPL as an eco-conscious company and has franchised its PANDA Logo to be used on TNPL's branded products.

Through the adoption of sound ecological practices at every stage of activity, TNPL has not only brought down the pollution load but also improved the overall profitability through adoption of cleaner production technologies. Besides as a responsible corporate citizen the company has initiated many community development activities to enhance the quality of life in and around TNPL which has brought in lot of goodwill. Harnessing of wind energy, adoption of greener technologies, resource conservation, responsible waste management and minimal pollution loads make TNPL one of the most environmentally compliant mills in the world.

Effluent water from the process is treated in a state-of-art effluent treatment system, through an "Activated Sludge Process". The treated effluent water conforming totally to the Pollution Control Board norms is utilized for irrigating the dry barren lands around the mill. Around 1700 acres of arid land are irrigated with the treated effluent water under TEWLIS scheme. The main crops cultivated in the ayacut area are coconut, sugarcane, paddy and tapioca. The lands which were dry and parched earlier, are now lush green and are a source of perennial revenue to the land owners.

For the production of 2,45,000 Mt of paper, the mill requires about 4,50,000 tons of pulpwood per annum. The current supply available in the state is far behind the demand. Hence, to meet the growing raw material requirement and also to subserve the 1988 National Forest Policy Guidelines of Indian Government, TNPL has initiated plantation programme during 2004-05 and has accelerated the pace to increase the area under pulp wood plantations.

Now the plantation programme is entering into its fifth year of operation, expanding the targets with refinement and up-gradation of technologies every year. TNPL is now deploying several innovative measures and technological advancements resulting in significant achievements in many aspects of the plantation programme.

TNPL plantation programmes comprise two approaches viz., farm forestry and captive plantations.

TNPL has added another feather in its cap by commissioning a state-of-the-art clonal production centre of capacity with a 1.5 crores plants / year near the mill site. It is the largest pulp wood clonal production, research and development centre at a single location with world-class infrastructure facilities in India.

In May 2007, the establishment of CPRC was started with 8000 sq.m of fogging and misting chambers, 4000 sq.m of hardening chamber and 10000 sq.m open nursery with updated technological innovations on par with international standards. Provisions are made to establish various research programmes in micro and macro propagation of Eucalyptus, Casuarina and other alternative pulpwood species. Clonal mini-gardens and breeding mini-orchards are being established in CPRC to carryout breeding and tree improvement works. This would facilitate production of preferred, site-specific clones suited to individual operational areas and reduce the cost of clones to the company and emerge as a profitable enterprise to the farmers.

TNPL has established an area of 2734 acres under captive plantation scheme and 37,556 acres have been covered under farm forestry scheme involving about 8235 farmers in 15 districts of Tamil Nadu. In total TNPL has established pulpwood plantations in about 40,000 acres within a span of five years and is committed to raise plantation in about 15000 acres every year to attain the target of 1,00,000 acres by the end of 2012.

The above plantation schemes are being implemented throughout Tamil Nadu through 10 regional offices in Karur, Manaparai, Tirunelveli, Karaikudi, Pudukottai, Namakkal, Trichy, Tanjore, Jayangondam and Panruti providing advice and technical assistance to tree growers.

TNPL has affirmed to pursue its commitment to renewable energy. The company set up 15MW Windfarm power project at Devarkulam and Perungudi, which are backward villages of Tirunelveli District in the year 1993-94. The initial installed capacity of 15 MW has been enhanced to 35.5 MW as of March 2007 in 5 phases with an average generation of around 5.5 crores units per annum.