Darling Ingredients officials updated the Bastrop County Commissioners Court on Feb. 23 about upgraded operations at the company’s Bastrop facility, where some residents have complained of foul odors.
What we know
Located between Bastrop County Animal Services and Camp Swift, the facility collects and recycles food industry waste to produce animal feed ingredients, biofuels and other byproducts.
“We fully recognize, as a neighbor and a partner in this community, that for some period of time, Darling Ingredients was not doing a good job,” said Amy McBee, a community and government affairs representative with Darling Ingredients. “We apologize for that. We’re here to do better. We want to be a good partner in our community.”
Some background
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Darling Ingredients in early February for “unlawfully emitting odors and other chemicals” at its Bastrop facility.
“Texans should not be forced to endure offensive and harmful odors in their own communities, especially when a company is failing to comply with the standards required by law,” he said in a news release. “Darling must not sacrifice the quality of life of Texas citizens for its production goals. My office will ensure that violations of Texas law are brought to an end and that the safety and livelihood of surrounding neighborhoods are protected.”
The Office of the Attorney General reported that odors have been described as smelling like:
- Dog food
- Cooked grease
- Burning feathers
- Boiling blood
- Death
Also of note
McBee listed key details about the Bastrop facility, including:
- Employs about 100 people
- Processes 25 million pounds of used cooking oil annually
- Processes 440 million pounds of animal byproducts annually
- Pays approximately $500,000 in taxes annually
The outlook
Although Darling Ingredients has committed $40 million in improvements to its Bastrop facility, Kenton Betz, the regional vice president at Darling Ingredients, emphasized there is not a particular dollar amount being targeted.
“We’re going till it’s fixed—whether that’s $40-$45 million,” he said. “This is a facility that we will march toward excellence until it’s there.”
Those improvements, Betz highlighted, are to address air quality and water quality, and are expected to largely be completed by December.
“We’re taking some of the equipment we have that is functioning and we’re upgrading to the state of the art,” he said.
McBee has overseen the Bastrop facility since October 2025, according to Darling Ingredients.
What else?
Darling Ingredients launched a website, www.darlingii.com/bastrop, and a dedicated phone number, 512-772-4527, where residents can report their concerns.
“If someone does come to us, either through our hotline or through the website, our commitment is that we respond to that person within 24 working hours,” McBee said.
No complaints were received over the last few weeks as of Feb. 23, Darling Ingredients officials said.
Notable quote
Precinct 4 Commissioner David Glass thanked McBee and Betz on behalf of his constituents.
“Apparently, you heard the constituents, and you’ve addressed it,” Glass said. “The odors have been much, much better. I think we’d all agree. So thank you for that and listening to us and coming here and making the investment to improve your system.”
