Toxic Profits: How Wealthy Corporations and Industries Target Low-Income Communities Like Memphis

When we map out polluters near Memphis, Tennessee, the results are staggering. A city known for its culture, music, and resilience is drowning under a toxic cloud created by corporations who choose to site their dirtiest industries where they think no one will fight back. These include chemical plants, refineries, airports, landfills, golf courses — and soon, Elon Musk’s new AI facility, which raises even more concerns.

The Polluters of Memphis

Here are just some of the facilities poisoning the air, soil, and water around Memphis. Click to view their detailed pollution profiles:

• Valero Memphis Refinery

• BradyIFS / BradyPLUS

• Team Waste Memphis

• Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc

• 901 Asphalt Maintenance LLC

• Eaton Manufacturing Corporation

• The J.M. Smucker Co – Memphis Jif Plant

• ION Chemicals USA Inc

• The Pallet Factory Inc

• Delta Foremost Chemical Corp

• Waste Connections of Tennessee – Memphis

• Solid Waste Management

• Waste Pro

• Smurfit Westrock Olive Branch Sheet Plant

• Ideal Chemical & Supply Co

• Southern Steel & Concrete Inc

• Industrial & Mechanical Contractors of Memphis Inc

• US Zinc

• Cherokee Valley Golf Club

• Lakeland Golf Club

• Orgill Park Golf Course

• Links At Galloway Golf Course

• Memphis National Golf Club

• Mirimichi Golf Course

• Wedgewood Golf Club

• Overton Park 9

• The Links at Audubon

• The Links at Fox Meadows

• Memphis International Airport

• Millington-Memphis Airport

• Tunica Airport – UTM / KUTA

• Olive Branch Airport

• Charles W Baker Airport (2M8)

• West Memphis Municipal Airport

• General DeWitt Spain Airport

• Ralph M Sharpe Airport

• Airport Seating Alliance

• Brownstone Country Club & Resort

• Forest Hill Golf Course

• Southaven Golf Center

• Timber Truss Golf Course

• Vantage Point Golf Center

• TPC Southwind

• Irene Golf Course

• Solid Waste Facility

(Elon Musk’s AI factory — profile pending)

Why Do They Target Low-Income Communities?

Corporations and industries know these communities have less political power and fewer legal resources to fight back. Environmental racism and profit-driven decisions mean toxic sites are placed where residents are least able to resist.

How Do We Fix This?

✅ Scrubbers and clean tech — These can reduce emissions dramatically, but companies must be held accountable to use them.
✅ Bioremediation with poplar trees + native plants — Nature can help heal, but needs support and coordination.
✅ Community transparency + tools like Polluters Near Me — Empower residents to track, report, and advocate for change.

Watch + Take Action

👉 Learn more in our Documentary
👉 Report polluters or missing data
👉 Sign petitions and support environmental justice efforts

Share this article on social media. Call local news outlets, politicians and churchs… and/or civic clubs in your area. 

💬 Memphis deserves better. Let’s work together for cleaner air, water, and soil.