Walmart will pay $27.6 million to settle allegations that it dumped hazardous waste at its California stores. According to San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, each of the company’s 236 stores and distribution centers across California were violating environmental laws. Dumanis joined more than 20 prosecutors and 32 environmental groups in a five-year investigation into the retailer.
Walmart allegedly dumped pesticide, fertilizer, paint, aerosols and other chemicals. As the Associated Press reports, the Walmart settlement may not be the end of the story, as the possibility of civil suits remain, as well as possible federal charges.
The Walmart lawsuit investigation began in a straight-forward manner, when an employee from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health allegedly saw a Walmart employee pouring bleach down a drain. Over the course of the next five years, a series of violations were discovered and the case snowballed.
Walmart environmental spokesman Phyllis Harris says the company has since cleaned up its act.
“It’s important to note that these incidents happened at least four years ago,” she said. “Since then, we have worked closely with the state of California on a comprehensive hazardous waste plan that includes improved training programs, policies and procedures.”
Related Resources:
- Walmart Settles California Environmental Lawsuit For $27.6 Million (Consumerist)
- Wal-Mart to pay millions in waste case (MSNBC)
- Lessons Learned the Hard Way - Environmental Law (FindLaw)
- FL Deputy Uses Google Earth Tools to Spot Illegal Dumping (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
- Target, KMart, and Illegal Hazardous Waste Dumping in California (FindLaw’s Injured)
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