Press Release: 2021-06-11

MassDEP Assesses Penalty to Sira Naturals for Environmental Violations at its Milford Manufacturing Facility

MassDEP Assesses Penalty to Sira Naturals for Environmental Violations at its Milford Manufacturing Facility:

MassDEP conducted compliance inspection of facility during February 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/10/2021

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today announced it has assessed a $17,819 penalty to Sira Naturals, Inc. for violations related to air emissions, and the storage of both hazardous waste and industrial wastewater at its cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility located at 13 Commercial Way in Milford.   

 

MassDEP observed the violations of Massachusetts Air Pollution Control, Hazardous Waste, and Industrial Wastewater Holding Tank regulations during a compliance inspection of the company’s facility in February, 2020. Sira Naturals, Inc. was operating the facility without an air quality permit for its emissions of volatile organic compounds from its processing operations, and it had not filed a certification for an emergency power diesel engine on-site.  

 

“When businesses begin production, they must research and comply with all of the Commonwealth’s environmental regulations to ensure the safety of human health and the environment,” said Mary Jude Pigsley, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Failure to do so can result in illegal and potentially harmful practices, and increased compliance costs.” 

 

The company, which has subsequently addressed the violations, had also been found to be disposing of hazardous waste ethanol cleaning solutions down the drain to the municipal sewer system without a license; generating hazardous waste without being registered; failing to label and mark its hazardous waste accumulation area; and operating an industrial wastewater holding tank without the approval of the municipal sewer system. 

 

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.