Georgia Pacific Mill Releases ‘Unbearable’ Odors into Neighboring Community, Class Action Claims

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Georgia Pacific LLC’s negligent operation of its Brunswick, Georgia industrial facility has caused the release of “noxious odors” into neighboring residences.

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According to the 17-page complaint, the chemical process of producing cellulose fiber from wood chips and the treatment of resultant waste sludge causes malodorous gas emissions with a “characteristic rotten egg smell” to emanate from the facility. The case claims that the cellulose fluff pulp mill “negligently” fails to maintain its facility, causing the odors to be released into the surrounding area.

As a result, nearby residences and properties are frequently “invaded by noxious odors,” the filing alleges.

One plaintiff, a Brunswick resident, calls the odors “unbearable,” while another stresses that she “can’t go outside and enjoy [her] life or walk [her] dogs because of the stench.”

The case says that over 65 residents have reported that they have been negatively affected by the mill’s odor emissions. According to the lawsuit, between December 2020 and December 2021 there were “235 air quality complaints” filed against Georgia Pacific. According to the suit’s calculations, that means “there was an odor complaint lodged on over 64% of days throughout the year.”

According to the case, the cellulose fluff pulp mill has a record of failing to regulate odor emissions. In 2020, the mill was given a notice of violation by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division for failing to properly monitor its nitrogen oxides emissions, the lawsuit shares. Further, an employee at the mill lodged an anonymous complaint in November 2021 when the worker witnessed the facility “release a ‘green cloud,’” the filing relays.

Per the lawsuit, Georgia Pacific owes a duty to the neighboring residents to control the pollutants and keep them from entering private property. The suit claims that the defendant understood that its facility was releasing the “offensive” odors into the nearby neighborhood yet made no sufficient effort to mitigate them.

The lawsuit looks to represent all Georgia residents who have lived within the following geographic area since 2018:

“Beginning at the corner of Gloucester Street and Highway 17.  North on Highway 17 to U.S. Route 25 also known as Golden Isles Parkway.  Northwest on George State Route 303 to the East River coastline.  East River coastline south to Gloucester Street.  East on Gloucester Street to the starting point of Gloucester Street and Highway 17.”

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