Walmart to pay $27.6 Million to California for Hazardous Waste Violations

As a result of a five-year probe by the State of California, Walmart Stores, Inc. will have to pay $27.6 million for violations of hazardous waste storage and handling in 236 Sam's Club and Walmart stores. The lawsuit stemmed from a San Diego County Department of Environmental Health investigator observing bleach being dumped into a drain at a Walmart store. Further investigation revealed that in Solano County, a child was found playing in a torn bag of ammonium sulfate in the garden department. Other materials improperly dumped, transported and stored in Walmart and Sam's Club stores were pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, aerosols, acid, paints and motor oil products.

Walmart will pay the equivalent of two-tenths of one percent of their $14.41 billion profit to satisfy the fine of $20 million plus $3 million for store maintenance, $3 million for environmental projects and $1.6 million in legal costs. Walmart spokesman said the payments will not affect their first fiscal quarter operating results. Los Angeles County District Atty Steve Cooley said, "This settlement ensures that Walmart obeys the laws when shipping potentially hazardous materials on our streets and highways."

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