[Corp. Watch] World's biggest retailer caught dumping hazardous waste in California

[Corporation Watch]

Wal-Mart to Pay $27.6 Millon in California Dumping Case

(KGO-TV, May 3) -- Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle allegations that it improperly handled and dumped hazardous waste at stores across California, in a case that led to changes in the retailer's practices nationwide, prosecutors said Monday.

	The most serious allegations accused employees at various Wal-Mart stores of illegally dumping pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. Some of the products were dumped at local landfills, some in trash cans, and in one case down a storm drain.

	The complaint covers all of Wal-Mart's 236 stores and outlets in California.

	"They're trying to send a message, in this case to Wal-Mart, that if you operate in the state of California, you have to adhere to California rules," said Kyle Graham, a former prosecutor and law professor at Santa Clara University who is familiar with the civil complaint.

	Wal-Mart agreed to pay more than $27 million to settle the case, and issued a statement which said in part: "It is important to note that these incidents happened at least four years ago. 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."

	Wal-Mart customers we talked to say corporate America needs to be held accountable.

	"Definitely -- we as consumers are giving them our money," a Wal-Mart shopper said.

	"A lot of people are about being green right now, and nobody should be exempt from it," another shopper said.

	California Attorney General [and Democratic candidate for governor] Jerry Brown is going after Target for similar environmental violations, and recently settled with other major retail firms, including a $33 million case with Home Depot and smaller settlements last year against Kmart and U-Haul.

	Elizabeth Sturcken of the Environmental Defense Fund says more effort needs to be directed at the source of the problem -- the toxic and hazardous products themselves. 

	"Frankly, we need to take it a stage further, and focus on reducing and eliminating hazardous materials, and that's what our work at Environmental Defense Fund is focused on," she said.