Wal-Mart under investigation for illegally disposing of hazardous waste

[Kadie]

KCRA 3 Investigates: Wal-Mart Under Investigation
Hazardous Waste Violations Alleged

POSTED: 7:57 am PST January 5, 2006
UPDATED: 8:13 am PST January 5, 2006


SACRAMENTO -- Wal-Mart, one of the largest companies in the world, is now under criminal investigation -- accused of cutting corners, ignoring state and federal regulations, and illegally disposing of hazardous waste, KCRA 3 Investigates' Josh Bernstein reported.

The investigation involves stores all over Northern California. From California to Nevada, inspections and records are pointing out dozens of violations.

snip...
Documents obtained exclusively by KCRA 3 show county inspectors found that Wal-Mart has routinely failed to provide proper training to its employees on how to handle, store and dispose of hazardous material.

At the store on Watt Avenue in Sacramento, inspectors pointed out oil tanks that had not been labeled as hazardous waste, and chemicals used to absorb oil being illegally mixed in with the trash.

In Natomas, records show, the photo lab has been releasing chemicals into the sewer. And in Folsom, an inventory of hazardous materials was missing.

more...
http://www.kcra.com/news/5862474/detail.html

[SoCalDem]

1. Ask your self this.

Would a company so ferociously into cost cutting everywhere, willingly pay to dispose of waste properly, if they could get away with NOT paying it?

[FrannyD]

2. The fines if any

will most likely cost them less than ridding the waste lawfully.

[SoCalDem]

3. Exactly.. Corporations often weigh the costs and choose fines.

Out here, lots of people don't register their cars for long periods of time. There are SOOOOO many cars compared to law enforcement, and they gamble that they can save money by not doing it. When they get caught, they pay a fine and register it, but in the meantime (years for some) they escape the costs of smog testing, insurance, and registration fees ... Then after a year or so with insurance & registration, they sell the car and buy another used car that they
"forget to register"..

[LostinVA]

4. Why, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you! n/t