KALAMAZOO MI (From news reports) - A published article in local media states that Graphic Packaging did not place a cap on a clarifier that processes wastewater, per a report from 2020.

The report, provided to Kalamazoo city officials from Jones and Henry Engineers of Kalamazoo, stated that placing the cap would help reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, released into the air, which would in turn help reduce the odor that residents say is an issue.

In the article, Graphic Packaging officials stated that the cap would not solve the issue, and that treatment of the wastewater itself would be the best avenue to reducing the odor.

The company said that it has been using chemicals to help combat the odor, and that state and federal officials are aware of that effort.

The article also stated that the city is planning to institute mitigation efforts via its biofilter project, in hopes that they will reduce the odors even more.

A vocal critic of the company, Kalamazoo resident Brandi Crawford-Johnson, said in the article that the company should have placed the cap on the clarifier when told of the issue.

She also emphasized that the company has not done enough to address the issue.