The Darling International rendering plant, once a key part of the Aroma of Tacoma, located in the Tacoma Tideflats, is seeking to reopen its doors after a series of troubling incidents shut it down last year.

Background: In April 2019, a leak in the plant’s odor abatement system unleashed a putrid smell on Tacoma residents, permeating the air for days. Subsequently, in September 2022, a large fire broke out at the Tacoma plant due to rendering equipment igniting organic materials. Since then, the facility has remained closed, but they recently indicated an intention to reopen.

Community Impact: The communities living closest to this plant already face some of the highest health inequities in the city and state. Furthermore, the facility is less than one mile from the Northwest Detention Center, where detained immigrants have long spoken out against poor air quality conditions. Odors from rendering facilities can lead to nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, alterations of mood, and other symptoms, aggravating conditions such as asthma.

Environmental Concerns: Aside from air quality issues, Darling Ingredients has a history of environmental violations, including fines for violating wastewater permits and contaminating soil and groundwater with petroleum products. The facility is dangerously close to the Puyallup River and the Gog-le-hi-te Wetland System, a critical salmon habitat restoration site.

Safety Risks: Since the Tacoma fire last year, at least three additional Darling Ingredients facilities have caught fire across the U.S., resulting in a worker fatality. Major Occupational Safety and Health violations have occurred at Darling-owned facilities nationwide, including multiple OSHA violations at the Tacoma facility.