Last year, companies in the U.S. generated the largest amount of toxic waste—25.63 billion (that’s with a b) pounds since 2007, according to the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory released today.
And North Carolina is responsible for nearly 49 million (that’s with an m) pounds of it.
The TRI annually tracks how companies manage 650 of the known toxic chemicals that may threaten human health and the environment. However, the TRI has its shortcomings. It does not collect data on all toxic chemicals, and the companies report the data themselves. Still, it’s an inkling into who’s putting what—and how much of it—where. Here is a snapshot of North Carolina and the releases in Raleigh and Durham cities and Chatham County. Orange County reported no facilities that qualify under the Toxic Release Inventory. You can search for data about any county or city using the TRI mapping tool.
745: Total facilities
123: Number that implemented new ways of reducing toxic releases
48.92 million pounds: Total releases from all facilities
22: Rank in releases among 56 states and U.S. territories
Companies with the largest toxic releases
PCS Phosphate, Aurora, Beaufort County
International Paper, Riegelwood, Columbus County
Blue Ridge paper, Canton, Haywood County
Lewiston Processing (poultry), Woodville
Smithfield Packing (pork), Tar Heel, Bladen County
8: Total facilities
0: reporting new source reduction
157,574 pounds: Releases into the air
40,763 pounds: Releases into the water
27,707 pounds: Releases onto the land
Companies with the largest toxic releases
8: Total facilities
1: reporting new source reduction
22,561 pounds: Releases into the air
Companies with the largest toxic releases
7: Total facilities
0: reporting new source reduction
399,266 pounds: Releases into the air
79 pounds: Releases into the water
2,813 pounds: Releases onto the land
Companies with the largest toxic releases
