Dive Brief:
- AT&T has settled a lawsuit with the state of California for $52 million for illegally dumping hazardous electronics waste. The terms of the agreement absolve the telecommunications corporation of cleaning up the contamination caused by the e-waste.
- Investigators cited the company for its illegal disposal of hazardous waste and other materials at more than 235 warehouses and transportation centers throughout California over a 9-year period.
- State officials said this was the first enforcement action ever taken in the state for mishandling e-waste.
Dive Insight:
An investigation found that the company was transporting e-waste to landfills not permitted to accept the hazardous materials. A majority of the waste consisted of batteries, aerosol cans, electronics, and liquid and gel substances.
According to a spokesperson for CA Attorney General Kamala Harris, the judgment does not free the company from liability for any contamination that may have resulted from the illegal dumping, so AT&T could still face further litigation.
The terms of the settlement include $23.8 million in civil penalties and related costs and an additional $28 million in penalties over a five year period for "enhanced environmental compliance measures.”
The settlement is still awaiting final approval from the Alameda County Superior Court.
