Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Contact

Health-Based Questions

Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
800‑MI‑TOXIC or 800‑648‑6942

Environmental Concerns

Clean Air Assistance Program
EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov
800-662-9278

EGLE District Office
269‑567‑3500

Graphic Packaging International, LLC (GPI) is located at 1421 N. Pitcher Street, in Kalamazoo. GPI produces paper-based packaging for a variety of products including cups, cartons, boxes, and other food containers. It produces the paper material as well as folding and labeling the products. Industrial processes at the facility are subject to state and federal air quality rules and regulations as well as various waste and water regulations.

Air Sampling

Graphic Packaging International Map Overview

Click the overview map to enlarge it.

For the pollutants, ozone, and particulate matter that is 2.5 microns in diameter or less, you can find real-time air monitoring information on EGLE's air monitoring webpage or sign up to receive air quality alerts through EnviroFlash.
USEPA Geospatial Monitoring of Air Pollution (August 19, 2021)
February 2023 Update: EGLE's AQD did limited ambient (outdoor) air sampling from November 14 through 18, 2022, near the City of Kalamazoo's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located at 1415 Harrison Street. The sampling was prompted by the results of a May 2022 experimental drone study which showed further investigation in this area was needed, specifically for carbonyl compounds. The purpose of the November sampling activities was to get a better idea of levels of carbonyl compounds, including formaldehyde, in the area around the WWTP. Full results are available in the Community Sampling in Kalamazoo, Michigan report.

Updates

May 2025: Graphic Packaging International, LLC (GPI) submitted air permit application (APP Package No. PKG-0000379). The application is a request to:
- permanently shut down the K3 paperboard line, Boiler #8 and Boiler #9
- increase the annual production for the K2 paperboard line.
An air quality permit engineer has been assigned and is starting to evaluate GPI’s request. This evaluation can take time. Further information will be shared as it becomes available. Documents related to GPI, including this application may be found at Graphic Packaging International LLC (B1678) • MiEnviro Portal.

2023
October 2023: After several commenters requested additional time to provide feedback, we have extended the public comment period to midnight on October 31, 2023. We appreciate the continued interest in the two actions and the desire to more time to review and provide feedback. An Air Permit and Enforcement Summary has an overview of what is open for comment and more detailed information, as well as how to submit comments, is available at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice, choose "Applications Open for Comment." A public hearing was held on October 5, 2023. The recording is available to view.
EGLE is seeking public input on both the proposed air permit and the consent order. Comments can be submitted at any time provided via e-mail, US Post, or voicemail during the comment period or at the public hearing recently held on October 5, 2023. The comment period ends on October 31, 2023.

August 2023: There will be an online information session and public hearing on October 5, 2023, to talk with the public about a proposed permit and a proposed consent order for GPI. An Air Permit and Enforcement Summary has an overview of what is open for comment and more detailed information is available at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice, choose “Applications Open for Comment”. GPI is requesting changes to existing air permit PTI No. 133-19A for their paperboard machine including adding a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) to several boilers; modifying the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission limits to align with the CEMS system, removing old equipment, and correcting the capacity of fuel burning equipment. The proposed consent order is to address emission limits and equipment installation violations and contains a compliance plan, a monetary penalty, and additional fines for potential future violations.

February 2023: EGLE and Graphic Packaging finalized the consent order on February 1, 2023, to resolve several violations at the facility. The consent order will require the company to pay a monetary fine of $109,270 and abide by a compliance plan. Changes were made to the originally proposed consent order in response to comments from the public. These changes include:

Addition of timeline for Envirosuite data sharing. Graphic Packaging is required to post Envirosuite monitoring network data no later than 90 days after the effective date of the Consent Order.

Addition of the December 19, 2022, Violation Notice with a $10,000.00 increase to the monetary fine.
2022
December 2022

View the recording of the December 1, 2022, informational session and public hearing on the proposed enforcement action. The public comment period for this enforcement action will remain open until December 9, 2022.

A violation notice was issued on December 19, 2022, for an alleged violation of Rule 901 due to strong and persistent odors detected off-site on December 14.

November 2022: EGLE is taking enforcement action and is seeking public input on a proposed consent order. The Proposed Enforcement Summary has high level information about the proposed monetary penalty, a compliance plan, and penalties for future violations. Comments can be submitted at any time during the comment period ending on December 9, 2022. An informational session and public hearing will be held on December 1, 2022, at 6:00 PM EST.

September 2022

An air permit application was submitted by the company, requesting the removal of a boiler, updating stack sizes, increasing the allowed heat rating on one dryer while decreasing it for others, changes to emissions limits from pounds per million BTU (lb/MMBtu) to pounds per hour (lb/hr), and adding the requirement for continuous emissions monitors (CEMS). The application is still undergoing technical review at this time. Prior to acting on this application, the AQD will hold a public comment period and a public hearing to allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed PTI. More information will be shared at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice (choose “Permits / Open for Comment”) as it becomes available.

Work on the enforcement action is moving forward and is anticipated to go out for public notice and comment in fall 2022. The public notice and comment period will include a virtual information session and public hearing. Comments will be accepted at any time during the comment period. More information will be shared at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice (choose “Compliance / Consent Orders”) as it becomes available.

An EGLE experimental drone study was done inside and on the property of the Kalamazoo Waste Water Treatment Plant. This was a nonregulatory study intended to assess and learn new drone technology. The experimental data is still being analyzed and quality controlled. The information was valuable and EGLE is conducting a full, methodical, rigorous investigation of issues in and around the facility.

A violation notice was issued on September 8, 2022, for installing equipment different than what was originally permitted, not keeping appropriate records and for failing a stack test.
2021
October 2021: EGLE, USEPA, and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) held an on-line community meeting on October 5, 2021, to discuss air sampling activities around GPI. The presentation slides and the meeting recording are available to view.

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