Paper Plants In Brunswick, Georgia

There is a paper plant in Brunswick, Georgia, called the Brunswick Cellulose paper plant, which is owned by Georgia-Pacific. The plant employs around 600 people and is one of the largest users of groundwater in the region. It is also one of the largest producers of absorbent fluff pulp, which is used in diapers and feminine hygiene products. The plant has faced scrutiny for its environmental impact, particularly regarding water usage and air quality. In recent years, the plant has invested in new technology to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency.

The Brunswick Cellulose paper plant is owned by Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific has invested about $400 million in the Brunswick mill since acquiring it in 2005. The company has installed new equipment and technology to make production more efficient and reduce water usage. This has resulted in a decrease in water withdrawals from the Floridan Aquifer, reducing the risk of environmental harm. The mill's effluent is treated on-site before being discharged into the Turtle River.

The Brunswick Cellulose paper plant is a heavy user of water, particularly groundwater, which is a valuable resource along the south Georgia coast. In recent years, the plant has reduced its water consumption by employing new technology and equipment, making its production more efficient. The mill uses water in the process of converting wood chips into pulp, which is then used to create paper products.

The Brunswick Cellulose paper plant has faced some challenges regarding air quality and odour issues. Investigations by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Coastal District and the Glynn Environmental Coalition have linked the plant to air pollution and a persistent foul odour in the area. The exact source of the odour has not been identified, but studies suggest that it likely originates from a one-mile buffer zone surrounding the plant.

Despite the environmental concerns, the Brunswick Cellulose paper plant plays a significant role in the local economy. The plant employs 600 people and is one of around a dozen large paper plants operated by Georgia-Pacific. The company is ranked as the second-largest paper producer in the United States.

The plant employs around 600 people

The Brunswick Pulp Mill, also known as the Georgia Pacific Plant, is a large paper plant in Brunswick, Georgia, that employs around 600 people. The plant is one of around a dozen large paper plants operated by the Georgia-Pacific Company, which is ranked as the second-largest paper producer in the US. The Brunswick plant is one of four large cellulose mills owned by the company, and it produces absorbent fluff pulp, which is used in diapers and other hygiene products.

The mill's high water usage has been a cause for concern in the past, as it is a heavy user of groundwater, a valuable resource along the south Georgia coast. In recent years, the plant has invested in new technology and equipment to reduce its water consumption and environmental impact. This has resulted in a significant decrease in water usage, from about 55 million gallons per day in the 1970s to about 31 million gallons per day currently.

The Brunswick plant has also faced issues with air quality and odour complaints from residents. Investigations by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Coastal District and the Glynn Environmental Coalition have linked the plant to air pollution and a strong odour described as "sewage and rotten eggs" by locals. Despite the complaints, the mill is said to be in compliance with Georgia's environmental regulations for groundwater and surface water use, wastewater treatment, and drinking water standards.

The Georgia-Pacific Company has a history dating back to the 1950s when it first entered the paper production industry. Since then, it has expanded and diversified its product range, focusing on items like paper plates, cups, diapers, paper towels, and toilet paper. The company reinvests a significant portion of its profits into its facilities, ensuring long-term viability and competitiveness in the global market.

It is a heavy user of groundwater

The Georgia-Pacific paper plant in Brunswick, Georgia, is a heavy user of groundwater. The plant, which produces absorbent fluff pulp used in diapers and other hygiene products, was previously withdrawing around 55 million gallons of water per day from the Floridan Aquifer in the 1970s. This massive water usage put a strain on the drinking water supplies for Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida and increased the risk of environmental harm.

In recent years, however, the Brunswick plant has undergone a significant overhaul, investing in new technology and equipment to reduce water consumption and increase production efficiency. These efforts have paid off, with the plant's water usage dropping to approximately 31 million gallons per day. This reduction has eased the pressure on the Floridan Aquifer and lowered the risk of environmental damage.

The mill's production process requires a large amount of water to convert yellow pine logs into pulp. The logs are reduced to chips, which are then cooked into fibre using water. The fibre is then transformed into fluff pulp, which is highly absorbent and widely used in hygiene products.

While the plant's water usage has decreased, it is important to monitor groundwater conditions in the area. Industrial withdrawals can reduce pressure in the upper aquifer, causing saltwater from the lower aquifer to migrate upwards and potentially contaminating drinking water supplies over time. The Brunswick plant's efforts to reduce water consumption have helped mitigate this risk, ensuring the long-term viability of their facility and contributing to environmental protection.

In addition to its water usage, the Brunswick Georgia-Pacific plant has also faced complaints from residents about air quality and foul odours. Investigations by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Coastal District and the Glynn Environmental Coalition have linked these odours to the plant and possible air pollution.

The plant has been the source of a foul odor in Brunswick

The Georgia-Pacific plant in Brunswick, Georgia, has been the source of a foul odor in the city, angering residents. The plant is one of the largest paper producers in the US and employs around 600 people. It has been the subject of hundreds of complaints to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources since November 2020, with residents describing the smell as "sewage-like" and similar to "rotten eggs".

The Glynn Environmental Coalition conducted a study that indicated pollution in the air, and the Georgia DNR's environmental division and air protection branch are currently investigating. The odor has been suggested to come from within a 1-mile radius of the plant, with over 80% of complaints being downwind of the Georgia-Pacific plant.

The plant has a history of environmental concerns. In March 2024, an electrical fire at the facility paused production and injured one employee. The plant is also a heavy user of groundwater, which is a valuable resource along the south Georgia coast. While the company has taken steps to reduce water usage in recent years, there have been concerns about saltwater contamination of aquifers in the area.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division Coastal District has received over 200 air quality complaints since December 2020. The department has been investigating the source of the odor through methods such as onsite inspections, modeling, weather data, and odor complaint mapping. However, as of December 2021, no single source had been identified.

An electrical fire paused production at the plant in March 2024

The Brunswick Cellulose paper plant in Brunswick, Georgia, experienced an electrical fire in March 2024, which resulted in a temporary halt to production and left one employee injured. The fire occurred at Georgia-Pacific's Brunswick Cellulose facility, one of the world's largest producers of absorbent fluff pulp and a major user of groundwater in the region.

Glynn County firefighters were dispatched to the scene at around 9:30 a.m. after receiving a call about the electrical fire. The fire caused a pause in production at the mill, impacting the manufacturing of paper products. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards present in industrial facilities and the importance of fire safety and emergency response protocols.

The Brunswick Cellulose paper plant is owned by Georgia-Pacific and is one of four large cellulose mills operated by the company. Cellulose is a wood-derived material used in various products, including absorbent hygiene products, clothing, tires, and paper goods. The plant employs around 600 people and plays a significant role in the local economy. It is also a heavy user of water, particularly groundwater, which is a valuable resource along the south Georgia coast.

In recent years, the plant has made efforts to reduce its water consumption and improve efficiency. This has been achieved through the implementation of new technology and equipment, resulting in a decrease in water usage from about 55 million gallons per day in the 1970s to approximately 31 million gallons per day. The mill's efforts to conserve water have been recognized as beneficial to the environment, reducing the risk of environmental harm and easing pressure on drinking water supplies in the region.

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