Walmart agrees to pay $7.5 million to settle California lawsuit over disposal of hazardous waste
Walmart has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by California officials that alleged the retail giant illegally dumped hazardous waste
SAN FRANCISCO — Walmart has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by California officials that alleged the retail giant illegally dumped batteries, aerosol cans of insect killer, toxic cleaning supplies, electronic waste, latex paints and other hazardous waste in municipal landfills throughout the state.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the settlement Tuesday, saying the company will also be required to hire an independent, third-party auditor to conduct three waste audits each year at its facilities throughout California during the next four years.
The audit results will have to be shared with the attorney general’s office, the state's Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the district attorneys of the 12 counties involved in the lawsuit.
As part of the settlement, Walmart agreed to continue operating and maintaining its hazardous waste programs and make modifications necessary to comply with changes in California's Hazardous Waste Control Law.
“The fact that the settlement agreement requires Walmart to “maintain” our pre-existing waste compliance program is a testament to the strength of the compliance program we have built, and the settlement agreement itself recognizes that Walmart’s program is extremely effective at keeping allegedly hazardous waste out of public landfills,” Walmart said in a statement.
Walmart will have to pay $4.3 million in civil penalties and $3.2 million in reimbursements if the settlement is approved by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, according to the settlement.
“Walmart’s illegal disposal of
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