Dive Brief:

• The Los Angeles, CA retail chain 99 Cents Only has reached a settlement with the state of California totaling $2 million for hazardous waste violations.
• The deal was approved by a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. The retailer will pay $1.8 million in civil penalties, $312,500 in costs, and $250,000 in supplemental environmental projects.
• An investigation into the company’s storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste materials determined that hazardous waste was not being disposed of properly at the chain's 251 stores. The contaminated products were allegedly disposed of illegally at local landfills. 

Dive Insight:

Due to the settlement and legal issues surrounding the retailer, the company has adopted new waste management policies throughout California.

The hazardous waste is now handled by state-registered haulers, discarded at appropriate disposal facilities, and is also accurately documented and accounted for, according to company spokespeople.