WestRock Charleston - Pulp and Paper Facility in North Charleston, South Carolina

WestRock Charleston is a pulp and paper facility located at 5600 Virginia Avenue in North Charleston, South Carolina. The plant operates in the pulp and paper sector, a category known for significant water and air emissions. As a large-scale industrial operation, it plays a key role in the regional manufacturing landscape. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. These regulations require permits for air emissions, wastewater discharge, and hazardous waste management. The plant's NAICS codes (322110, 322120, 322121, 322130) indicate involvement in pulp mills, paper mills, and paperboard manufacturing. Pulp and paper facilities are among the most water-intensive industries, with high potential for organic pollutant discharge and odor emissions. WestRock Charleston's location in an industrial area near Charleston Harbor underscores the importance of its environmental management systems to mitigate impacts on local waterways and communities.

The facility is situated in North Charleston, an area with a mix of industrial and residential zones. The nearby Charleston Harbor and surrounding wetlands are sensitive ecosystems that can be affected by industrial runoff and air emissions. Pulp and paper mills typically generate significant wastewater with high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS), as well as air pollutants like particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Community proximity raises concerns about odor and potential health impacts, making regulatory compliance critical.