Hazardous Waste Violations by Home Depot

Hazardous Waste Violations by Home Depot



Aug. 2007  - Home Depot agreed Friday 
to pay $9.9 million settle charges that the giant retailer failed to 
properly store and transport hazardous waste. 
The settlement is one of the largest of its kind in the United States for 
violations of hazardous waste laws by a big box retail store chain. 
The civil case was filed by the California Attorney General, and district 
attorneys from Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Joaquin and Santa 
Clara counties and the Los Angeles city attorney. 
As part of the settlement, Home Depot agreed to pay a total of $9.9 
million in civil penalties and investigation and prosecution costs. 
Of that total, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said his 
office will receive $837,000 in civil penalties and costs. The Los Angeles 
County Fire Department will receive $250,000 in civil penalties and costs. 

The case originated in May 2004, when a fire occurred at Home Depot’s 
Marina Del Rey store. The contents of a 55-gallon drum exploded, causing a 
fire during regular business hours and leading to the evacuation of store 
employees and customers and an emergency response from the Los Angeles 
City and County Fire Departments. 
Prompted by the incident in Playa Del Rey, a hauler contracted by Home 
Depot was stopped by the California Highway Patrol in Ripon, California, 
while transporting hazardous materials that was lacking proper 
certification by the state. 
These incidents prompted a multi-agency investigation. The investigation 
concluded that Home Depot had routinely collected hazardous waste that had 
been created, released, spilled, or accumulated at its stores across 
California and placed those hazardous wastes in buckets of varying colors 
for offsite disposal. 
Waste haulers who contracted with Home Depot were also found to improperly 
store and label hazardous waste and material and failed to complete 
required manifests for all materials being transported by truck. 
In addition to paying $9.9 million, Home Depot will contribute required 
support for designated environmental training programs and other 
environmental commitments which benefit the state of California and its 
citizens. 
The settlement also requires Home Depot to contract with waste haulers 
licensed by the California Department of Toxic Substances and use only 
Department of Transportation-approved containers for off-site disposal. 
Officials said the company was cooperative in reaching this settlement, 
which must be signed by a judge before it is final. 
Home Depot said it is improving its handling of hazardous waste and 
working with state officials to address concerns. Home Depot said it would 
remain focused on environment through its various sustainability programs. 

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