Wal-Mart Stores Caught Dumping Hazardous Waste Into California Drains, Company Pleads Guilty

[GoLeft TV]

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges on Tuesday for dumping hazardous waste from Wal-Mart stores into sanitation drains across California. As part of the plea deal, the company has been ordered to pay $81 million in fines, which will also cover charges to the company in Missouri. They also pleaded guilty in the Western District of Missouri for violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) after improperly handling pesticides.

The investigation into Wal-Mart’s waste-dumping practices began eight years ago when a San Diego health department worker witnessed a Wal-Mart employee pouring bleach down a drain. The investigation ultimately concluded that the chain had improperly dumped hazardous waste in 16 California counties between 2003 and 2005. Due to the lack of training for employees on how to properly dispose of hazardous waste, the pollutants were dumped into trash bins and poured into the local sewer systems. Waste was also taken product return centers without proper documentation.

See the full story at Ring of Fire.

[pinto]

1. Good catch, good result.