Local News

‘Noxious odors’ surrounding Grafton animal feed processing plant prompt AG action

Residents could smell the plant as far as 4.6 miles away, a lawsuit against Feedback Earth said.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks during the 54th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Jan. 15.

By Eva Levin

October 17, 2024

1 minute to read

The Attorney General’s office is suing processing plant Feedback Earth, Inc., for allegedly emitting “noxious odors” stemming from a violation of environmental permits and unsanitary conditions, the AG said in a statement on Thursday.

Feedback Earth is a processing plant in Grafton that turns food waste into “valuable, high-quality” animal food, according to their website. The AG’s office said it is also asking the court for a preliminary injunction against Feedback Earth to stop the bad smells and “immediately provide relief” to local residents.

In the lawsuit, prosecutors claim Feedback Earth has knowingly accepted rotten and spoiled food waste, which caused unsanitary conditions, the spread of noxious odors, and created health risks. They also accuse the processing plant of storing food material outside of their facility, further creating bad smells.

The suit said residents could smell the plant as far as 4.6 miles away.

While Feedback Earth had a hotline for residents to report odors, affidavits filed by residents said the company made it harder to report odors by changing the hotline number, making unannounced visits to the homes of people who complained, and encouraging residents to report odors outside of the mandated hotline.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell said she hopes the suit and injunction will ensure Feedback Earth complies with the law.

“Every community deserves fresh air and responsible neighbors,” Campbell said in a statement announcing the suit. “No one should be unable to enjoy their yard, walk their neighborhood, or open their windows because a company, even one with an important mission, is prioritizing its business over complying with reasonable and sound environmental laws and regulations that protect the health of our residents.”

Feedback Earth did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit.