Wal-Mart Dumping Case: To Pay $27.6 Millions For Improper Dumping Of Materials

May 8th, 2010 - 8:11 pm ICT by GD  

By Madhuri Dey
walmartMay 8, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle the case of improperly dumping hazardous waste at around 236 stores across California that was brought against it last month. The decision was announced on Monday by the San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. Bonnie Dumanis called the settlement as one of the largest that any Court of United States has ever seen. According to the latest reports the Butte County will be receiving $80,000 as its share in the settlement which will be distributed between the Butte County Department of Environmental Health and the District Attorney’s Office.

The case of improper handling of hazardous wastes was brought against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. after an investigation carried out by a group of more than 20 local, state and federal prosecutors along with health officers and different environmental agencies. Bonnie Dumanis on Monday said that the improper handling of dangerous materials came to the notice of one of the off-duty official of the San Diego Department of Environmental Heath who noticed that one of the Wal-Mart employees was dumping bleach on a sink drain. The investigation began five years ago and last month a civil complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s alleged that the company has mishandled materials like paints, aerosols, chemicals, acids, motor oil and fertilizers.

Steve Cooley the Los Angeles County District Attorney said that the settlement will ensure that the company will take steps to obey the laws while dealing and shipping hazardous materials. He said that safety should always remain the first priority for “hundreds and thousands of people who travel California’s Freeways every day”.

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