Costco has agreed to pay $3.6 million in civil penalties and costs to settle a state-wide lawsuit over alleged violations of environmental laws involving the safe storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste, Alameda County prosecutors announced Monday.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced that her office together with 28 other California District Attorneys had reached the settlement with Costco Wholesale Corporation.

The civil action was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and the settlement resolves allegations that Costco violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste as well as other hazardous waste...