Walmart will pay $7.5 million for illegally disposing of hazardous waste in California
Walmart will pay $7.5 million in penalties and costs to California for allegedly illegally disposing of hazardous and medical waste, as announced by state attorney general Rob Bonta on Tuesday.
As part of a settlement agreement, the retail giant acknowledges that it discarded nearly 400 tons of hazardous waste into California landfills between 2016 and 2021.
According to a news release regarding the settlement, “the district attorneys’ offices examined the waste that Walmart had sent from its facilities to municipal landfills and discovered thousands of containers of toxic aerosols and liquid waste, including spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides, and medical waste, such as over-the-counter medications.”
The settlement also includes San Diego County along with 11 other counties across California.
“This settlement ensures accountability and helps protect our environment from toxic waste,” stated San Diego County district attorney Summer Stephan in a news release about the case. “These types of investigations and settlements serve as a reminder to corporations of their responsibility to be good stewards of our environment.”
Previously, Walmart paid $25 million in penalties in 2010 after facing legal action from San Diego prosecutors over negligent practices.
Walmart operates over 300 stores in California, including 26 in San Diego County.