Some background
The facility at 264 FM 2336 in Bastrop collects and recycles food industry waste to produce animal feed ingredients, biofuels and other byproducts, according to Darling Ingredients.
“Traditional resources are depleting and the demand for sustainable ingredients is growing,” Darling Ingredients said in a statement posted to the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce website. “That’s where we come in. We are committed to help meet that demand, as we believe that nature has significantly more to offer than we currently use.”
What officials are saying
State Rep. Stan Gerdes emphasized that he wants Darling Ingredients held accountable, and cited a history of grievances that he said include:
- More than 330 complaints since 2002, excluding 2025
- 14 violations since 2017
- Two ongoing odor investigations as of Sept. 29
Gerdes and other officials from Bastrop County met with Darling Ingredient’s new manager Oct. 2.
“We appreciate the valuable time spent meeting with stakeholders, including Mayor Ishmael Harris and State Rep. Stan Gerdes,” Jillian Fleming, the director of global communications for Darling Ingredients, told Community Impact in an email. “Darling Ingredients remains committed to being a good neighbor and will continue working closely with local leadership to support the community and foster positive collaboration.”
Zooming in
Steven Cutbirth—a member of the Elgin Economic Development Corporation and Elgin Chamber of Commerce boards—was among the many Bastrop County residents who urged TCEQ officials to take action with Darling Ingredients.
“It’s actively creating a negative incentive for our local economy,” he said during the meeting. “It’s affecting our local businesses, and it’s inhibiting our ability to thrive economically, which is a problem.”
Mary Smith, general counsel for TCEQ, prevented further comments about Darling Ingredients.
“We can’t talk about specific concerns about specific facilities because of the Texas Government Code’s prohibition,” she said during the meeting. “You can talk to the commission about general environmental policy concerns.”
Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer rights advocacy group that was founded in 1971 in Washington, D.C., had a representative that spoke on behalf of Bastrop County residents.
“When enforcement processes take months or years, that's a time period when a community isn't getting relief from the concerns that it has,” said Adrian Shelley, director of the Texas Office at Public Citizen. “The power is with y'all. [TCEQ is] writing these orders. Companies are signing these orders. They've got legally enforceable dates in them, and it is up to you all to ensure that those dates are met.”
The outlook
Gerdes—who explained that he could smell the Bastrop facility from his home in Smithville on Sept. 26—is exploring several options to improve conditions.
“We’re looking into involving the [attorney general’s] office, and preparing legislation to stop the stink,” he said.
A website is available where Bastrop County residents can receive updates from Elgin City Council Member Joy Casnovsky about TCEQ’s latest enforcement actions against Darling Ingredients.
