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[camay2327]

http://www.kcra.com/...0201052006&ts=H



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KCRA 3 INVESTIGATES
Video: Josh Bernstein Reports


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

POSTED: 7:57 am PST January 5, 2006
UPDATED: 8:25 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.

Inspections conducted at Wal-Mart stores in Elk Grove, Natomas, Folsom and the other Wal-Marts in Sacramento County show a pattern of violations.

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.

Inspection after inspection pointed out that Wal-Mart has been illegally disposing of hazardous materials.

According to Wal-Mart's own records, the company is not the target of a criminal investigation.

The U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles has hit Wal-Mart with a grand jury subpoena requesting records documenting how Wal-Mart is disposing of hazardous waste. State and local investigations are under way in California and Nevada.

Customers may like Wal-Mart's liberal return policy, but what the company does with some of its returns has triggered yet another investigation.

The U.S. Attorney alleges that Wal-Mart has been illegally shipping hazardous material from California to a facility in Las Vegas -- items such as open containers of paint, nail polish remover, oil and aerosols that have been returned.

State and federal regulations require hazardous materials be transported in trucks that are certified to transport hazardous waste.

But the U.S. Attorney along with the district attorneys in San Diego and San Joaquin counties are alleging Wal-Mart has been using its own trucks and illegally transporting the waste to help save money by avoiding additional fees in California.

In the past four years, Wal-Mart has been hit with fines in more than half a dozen other cities and states.

In 2001, Connecticut sued Wal-Mart for violating environmental regulations. Wal-Mart settled and paid out more than $1 million.

That same year in Tennessee and Utah, the Environmental Protection Agency alleged Wal-Mart ignored federal storm water regulations. Wal-Mart settled, paid out $3 million and was required to spend an additional $250,000.

In Massachusetts, Wal-Mart again settled and paid out more than $150,000 after the EPA alleged the company was violating state and local regulations.

District attorneys in Solano and Orange counties have initiated action against Wal-Mart for same violations now being investigated in Los Angeles and Nevada.

Wal-Mart's stores are all around the world and so are the violations.

In Puerto Rico, the EPA is recommending a fine of more than $150,000 -- alleging Wal-Mart and its contractors violated several storm water regulations.

In a written statement to KCRA 3, Wal-Mart said, "We had previously reviewed these procedural issues and believed we were in compliance with all federal and state environmental laws and regulations. We were surprised to learn that the federal and state authorities in California thought we were violating the law in connection with the transportation procedures we have followed when moving returned and damaged merchandise from our stores to our return centers. We are once again reviewing our transportation procedures, taking the necessary action to correct any regulatory problems, and fully cooperating with federal and state officials in California."

Sources close to the federal investigation told KCRA 3 indictments are expected and the fines could be in the millions of dollars.

Copyright 2005 by KCRA.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[mylo]

Who returns open oil containers?

*crack* Oh, no, I wanted 10W40, not 10W30.. I'm going to take this back to Walmart!