“These people should be in Industrial Park, not next door to human beings living and breathing. She worries about people living in the area. On July 28, 2022, Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Air Quality staff conducted an unannounced inspection at Graphic Packaging’s Kalamazoo facility at 1500 N. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) issued the company a violation notice on September 8 for installing equipment different from what was permitted, not keeping appropriate records and failing a stack test.Ĭity crews pumped liquid from the storm drain Friday and rerouted it to the Kalamazoo Wastewater Reclamation Plant to be treated.Ĭrawford-Johnson feels that if the factory continues to operate as is, the pollution will continue. Graphic Packaging hits key milestone constructing recycled paperboard facility in Waco, Texas Consumers continue to demand more sustainable product packaging, as part of a growing movement to protect the environment by reducing waste. “I just can’t stop fighting because, not only do I have family that still lives there, I have friends and I care about everyone there.”Ĭrawford-Johnson says she’s been pushing local and federal agencies to take action against Graphic Packaging International for two years. “I’m not gonna stop fighting for these people and you’re gonna have to do something to fix this,” Crawford-Johnson added. In the meantime, the city advises people to stay off of and away from the river until further notice. The city says it will assess the spill’s impact. Promoted to manage the operations of seven paper mills, North American open. This allowed 1,500-2,000 gallons of what they believe was industrial wastewater from the paper recycling process to seep into a ditch that drains into the Kalamazoo River. The city says an internal sump belonging to Graphic Packaging International overflowed. Since 2019, we have been an active participant on the City of Kalamazoo’s Odor Task Force, which has been studying and addressing the potential for nuisance odors from our operations, the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant (KWRP), and other potential community sources. The city was alerted of the supposed accidental spill of process waste into the Kalamazoo River’s storm sewer system just after 6:30 a.m. There can be air emissions that come off of these chemicals.” “They should be assessing the neighborhood immediately, and chemicals can leak into the groundwater. “This spill is just another, you know, slap to everyone’s face,” Brandi Crawford-Johnson, a local environmental activist, told FOX 17 Friday. The city of Kalamazoo announced Thursday that it confirmed an “accidental liquid release” at the Graphic Packaging Plant along the Kalamazoo River.įOX 17 learned it’s not the first time Graphic Packaging International has raised environmental concerns. In a recent study, the state health department determined the levels were concerningfor people who live near the plants, potentially leading to chronic nasal irritation and other health problems.Ī separate federal class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 against GPI is also pending in the Western Michigan division of the district court.KALAMAZOO, Mich. GPI has a factory in the Northside neighborhood, next door to the city wastewater plant.

In a statement, GPI said it would defend itself against any 'false and misleading' claims against the company. The City of Kalamazoo declined to comment on the case. It also names many other defendants, including current and former Kalamazoo city officials and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. It seeks damages from the paper company Graphic Packaging International and the City of Kalamazoo. As a part of this commitment, GPI has published its ongoing Odor Action Plan, which is a critical part of the company’s continued investment in the Kalamazoo community.

United States of America et al, filed by John Robert Beason III in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleges violations of the Clean Air Act. Graphic Packaging International (GPI) continues to place a high priority on the health and safety of employees and community neighbors. Despite our name changes over the years, our dedication to innovation, quality, and service never changes. A West Michigan lawyer has filed a $600 million federal class-action lawsuit over air pollution on Kalamazoo’s North and East sides.ĭancer et al vs. Graphic Packaging International’s history extends more than 100 years, as numerous legacy companies have joined forces to create an ever-evolving corporation.

Graphic packaging kalamazoo