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Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley announced Monday that her office, together with 28 other California district attorneys, has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Costco Wholesale Corporation which requires the big box retailer to pay $3.6 million in civil penalties and costs.
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.
O’Malley’s office teamed up with the other DA offices as part of a joint investigation and prosecution to address statewide violations of law after San Joaquin County inspectors found evidence of improper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste products at Costco stores. Upon notification of the investigation, Costco officials cooperated with prosecutors and quickly came into compliance with hazardous waste management regulations.
The violations occurred over a five-year period at numerous Costco stores and distribution stores statewide, including five stores in Alameda County.
“My office’s Environmental Protection Division is dedicated to ensuring that businesses operating in Alameda County comply with the law,” O’Malley said. “As a result of this investigation and prosecution, regulated waste produced by Costco stores in California must now be properly stored, handled, transported and disposed of.”
Under the final judgment signed June 1 by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith, Costco must pay $3.6 million in civil penalties and costs. It also must fund supplemental environmental projects furthering consumer protection and environmental enforcement in California.
The retailer will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future alleged violations of law, O’Malley’s office said.