Safeway Settles $9.9 Million Hazardous Materials Lawsuit
Safeway Inc. will pay a nearly $10 million settlement to resolve allegations that more than 500 of its California stores, including 64 in San Diego County, violated hazardous waste storage and disposal laws, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
The offices Consumer Protection Unit worked with 41 other California District Attorneys and two city attorneys, including the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, to protect public health by obtaining the $9.87 million settlement and a permanent injunction against Pleasanton-based Safeway Inc.
Inspectors from San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health also contributed to the settlement case by reviewing Safeway’s hazardous waste program and conducting waste audits of local stores for the prosecuting District Attorney.
The settlement resolves allegations that Safeway stores and distribution centers, including its other brands, Vons, Pavilions and Pak ‘n Save, violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste generated from spills and customer returns of hazardous products — including electronic waste such as used batteries, medical waste, cleaners and other items. Seven of the 64 stores in San Diego County that were involved in the suit have closed.
“Safely handling hazardous waste protects our environment and is vital to the health of all Californians,” said San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. “Our environmental protection team did an outstanding job prosecuting this case and collaborating with other agencies to arrive at today’s multi-million dollar judgment.”
The investigation into Safeway’s practices began after discovery of improper shipments of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste to Safeway’s distribution centers through its reverse logistics program. The investigation revealed that Safeway was also routinely and systematically sending hazardous and pharmaceutical wastes to local area landfills not equipped to receive such waste. Upon being notified by prosecutors of the widespread issues, Safeway worked cooperatively to remedy the issue, enhance its environmental compliance program and train its employees to properly handle such waste.
As part of the judgment and injunction, California Safeway stores have adopted new policies and procedures designed to eliminate the improper disposal of retail hazardous waste products and pharmaceutical waste into store trash bins for eventual disposal into local landfills. In addition, the corporation must pay $9.87 million in civil penalties, costs and supplemental environmental projects. Under the terms of the settlement, Safeway must also continue its First Assistant Store Manager Program designed to address environmental compliance at the store level and conduct annual store audits.
San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said, “through this sort of collaborative effort by City Attorneys and District Attorneys throughout the state, businesses can be brought into compliance with the law and meet their responsibilities to protect our environment.”
Deputy District Attorney Karen Doty handled the case for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.