Borinquen Containers Corporation has agreed to comply with an order from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address violations of the Clean Air Act at its facilities in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. The company, which manufactures corrugated cardboard and fiber drums, was operating without the necessary permits to properly operate and test boilers as required by law.

The legal agreement, known as an Administrative Order on Consent, mandates that the company adhere to emission standards under the Clean Air Act and Puerto Rico's clean air regulations.

The EPA received numerous complaints from residents about black smoke emanating from Borinquen Containers Corporation's facilities. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the company had not conducted required tests to ensure proper boiler operation.

In October 2023, the EPA issued a Notice of Violation to Borinquen Containers Corporation for eight different infractions including:

- Operating without the necessary permit.

- Failing to apply for a permit before constructing two boilers.

- Not submitting annual certification reports from 2018 to 2022.

- Not conducting annual tests or recording chimney results.

- Failing to perform required tune-up tests for two boilers every six months.

The company has until February 15, 2025, to complete all necessary updates to control pollution and reduce emissions. A final compliance report must be submitted to the EPA by April 30, 2025. Failure to comply could result in fines exceeding $120,000 per day for each violation of the EPA order.

For more information on how the EPA monitors compliance with these types of requirements visit https://www.epa.gov/compliance/national-emission-standards-hazardous-air-pollutants-compliance-monitoring.

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