Tacoma Aroma: Does The City Still Smell The Same?

The Aroma of Tacoma, also known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a putrid and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell has been compared to rotten eggs and is most noticeable in the Tacoma Tideflats area. While the odour has been reduced over the years, it has not been eliminated completely. The Aroma of Tacoma has been the subject of jokes, songs, and even a rugby tournament named after it. It is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including the paper mill, a rendering plant, and the U.S. Oil refinery. With recent closures and transitions towards green energy, Tacoma hopes to move past the aroma and embrace new opportunities for blue-collar jobs.

The odor has been described as similar to rotten eggs

The "Aroma of Tacoma", also known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a putrid and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell has been described as similar to the odour of rotten eggs. The odour is not noticeable throughout the city, but is rather concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats and is frequently smelled by motorists travelling that section of Interstate 5.

The odour has been described as akin to "stewed sweat sock and sulphur", "a combination of swamp gas and fish stankiness", "death", "ass", "a sour kraut fart", and "a garlic aroma that could level Tacoma".

The Aroma of Tacoma has been the source of many jokes and has been cited as the reason behind the long-term depression of housing prices in the city. It has also inspired a novelty song, a rugby tournament, and a hip-hop band, all called the "Tacoma Aroma".

The Aroma of Tacoma has been the reason behind jokes about Tacoma

The "Aroma of Tacoma", otherwise known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a pungent and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The odour has been described as similar to the smell of rotten eggs, and is particularly noticeable in the Tacoma Tideflats area. The smell has been the subject of jokes by residents of nearby areas, and has even been referenced in popular culture, including in a song by Frank Zappa and during a concert by Bruce Springsteen, who was reportedly overwhelmed by the odour.

The Aroma of Tacoma has been attributed to a variety of causes, including the WestRock paper mill, which closed in September 2023, the U.S. Oil refinery, and sediment in Commencement Bay. The odour is thought to be caused by a combination of these factors, as well as the release of sulfur from the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, and a rendering plant. In 1997, the smell was made even worse when municipal officials unsealed a sewage tank that had not been opened in 15 years, during a period of high humidity. While the odour has been reduced in recent years due to the installation of new combustion technologies at the Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, it has not been eliminated entirely.

The Aroma of Tacoma has had a tangible impact on the city, with research in 2003 suggesting that it has contributed to a long-term depression of housing prices. Journalist Timothy Egan highlighted the nickname as an example of the consequences of environmental destruction along Puget Sound. The odour has also been referenced in popular culture, with a rugby tournament, a hip-hop band, and a novelty single by Diamond Jim and the Jazzmasters all adopting the name "Tacoma Aroma".

Despite efforts to reduce the odour, it continues to be associated with Tacoma, with some suggesting that it has become ingrained in the city's identity. However, there is optimism that Tacoma can move towards a greener future, with the closure of the WestRock paper mill providing an opportunity for the city to attract green businesses and create skilled jobs in the environmental sector.

The odor is not noticeable throughout the city, but is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats

The "Aroma of Tacoma" is a putrid and unpleasant odor associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell has been compared to rotten eggs. While the odor is not noticeable throughout the city, it is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats, where motorists traveling along Interstate 5 frequently experience it.

The Tacoma Tideflats is an industrial area located in the Commencement Bay region of Tacoma. The area is home to several facilities that have been identified as potential sources of the Tacoma Aroma. These include the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, a rendering plant, and the U.S. Oil refinery. The combination of these industrial activities has likely contributed to the unpleasant odor that has plagued the area.

The Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, in particular, has been identified as a major contributor to the Tacoma Aroma. In 1997, the odor became significantly worse for several weeks after municipal officials unsealed a sewage tank that had been closed for 15 years, coinciding with a period of high humidity. This incident highlighted the impact of the paper mill's operations on the air quality in the area. By the early 2000s, the odor had been somewhat mitigated following the installation of new combustion technologies at the mill, but it had not been completely eliminated.

The Tacoma Tideflats has been the site of industrial activities for many years, and the area has a history of environmental issues. In addition to the odor problem, there have been concerns about the potential health impacts of the air pollution on residents and workers in the area. Efforts have been made to improve the air quality and reduce the intensity of the Tacoma Aroma, but it continues to be a noticeable issue in the Tacoma Tideflats area, even if it is not pervasive throughout the entire city of Tacoma.

The Aroma of Tacoma has been cited as a reason for the long-term depression of housing prices in the city

The "Aroma of Tacoma", otherwise known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a foul and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell has been likened to that of rotten eggs. The odour is not pervasive throughout the city, but is instead concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats and is often noticed by motorists driving on that section of Interstate 5.

The Aroma of Tacoma has been attributed to a variety of causes, including sediment in Commencement Bay, sulphur released from the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, a rendering plant, the U.S. Oil refinery, or a combination of these factors. In 1997, municipal officials unsealed a sewage tank that had been closed for 15 years, exacerbating the odour for several weeks during a period of high humidity. By the early 2000s, the odour had been somewhat mitigated, though not entirely eliminated, following the installation of new combustion technologies at the Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill. The WestRock paper mill, which was largely blamed for the odour, closed in September 2023.

The Aroma of Tacoma has permeated various aspects of popular culture, including music and sports. In the 1960s, Jim Torrence and Don Lemon, along with their band Diamond Jim and the Jazzmasters, released a novelty single titled "The Aroma of Tacoma." Additionally, a rugby tournament held since the 1970s and a hip-hop band from the area both adopted the name "Tacoma Aroma". The persistence of the odour and its impact on the city have been subjects of scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the Pacific Science Center's symposium "The Science Behind Tacoma's Aroma" in 2011.

The WestRock paper mill closed in September 2023

The WestRock paper mill in Tacoma, Washington, closed its doors in September 2023, marking an end to nearly a century of operations. The mill, located on the Tacoma tideflats, had been a significant contributor to the infamous "Tacoma Aroma"—a putrid odor that has lingered over the city for decades.

The closure of the mill resulted in the loss of about 400 jobs, with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 76 negotiating severance packages for its members. The company also offered outplacement assistance to help displaced workers find new roles within WestRock or nearby companies. This commitment to assisting their Tacoma team was emphasized by CEO David B. Sewell.

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce is working to reemploy the workers within the local community, leveraging apprenticeship programs and partnerships with organizations like WorkForce Central. The chamber's president, Andrea Reay, acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism, noting the current workforce shortage and the demand for skilled workers among local companies.

The economic impact of the mill's closure extends beyond the job losses. For decades, WestRock Paper Mill has been a major user and revenue source for Tacoma Public Utilities, accounting for about 30% of its water demands and 7% of its revenue. Scott Dewhirst, the Tacoma Water superintendent, projected that the utility would need to increase costs for its other customers to make up for the lost revenue, potentially by 8-9% over the next few years.

The closure of the WestRock paper mill in September 2023 marked a significant turning point in Tacoma's history, signaling the end of an era defined by the "Tacoma Aroma" and the city's long association with the timber industry.

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