Whitehall Township is not prepared to issue a certificate of occupancy to National Plastics Corporation.

The township earlier granted approval for the company to relocate its Palmer Township facility to larger quarters at 1130 Lehigh Ave., Whitehall.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said on Monday no occupancy permit will be issued to the company headed by Munish Suri until the mandated sprinkler system is completely installed and inspected. The mayor said other issues also need to be resolved before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

National Plastics will utilize 40,000 square feet at the Lehigh Avenue site for its plastics recycling operations. The company will occupy a relatively small area of the 500,000 square-foot warehouse, which is divided into space for 15 light industrial uses. A solid wall will separate National Plastics from others in the huge structure. The company's building in Palmer Township is half the size.

National Plastics takes in scrap plastics, melts them and reforms them into flakes or pellets for resale. No hazardous materials or chemicals are used in the process, according to hearing testimony.

Residents disputed Suri's claims that no odors will exit the building.

Commissioner Thomas Slonaker said at the hearings his support was based on his unannounced visit to the Palmer site, where he inspected its operations.

There will be 125 employees working two shifts, from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and up to five trucks will travel to and from the facility.