Dive Brief:
- Albertson’s grocery stores will pay $3.3 million to multiple government agencies stemming from allegations that stores in California deposited hazardous waste illegally in dumpsters or brought materials to unlicensed facilities.
- Materials the stores allegedly disposed of improperly include: batteries, chemicals used for swimming pools and over-the-counter medication.
- As a result of the lawsuit, Albertson’s agreed to alter its waste management procedures at 118 of its stores in California.
Dive Insight:
The grocer is expected to create a computerized waste system, perform internal audits, teach workers about dealing with toxic waste and prepare progress reports for a 5-year timespan that will be given to local agencies.
