Autonation, a dealership and car collision center with over 50 locations in California, has been ordered to pay $2.1 million in civil penalties to settle allegations of improper hazardous waste disposal. Autonation is among the many large retailers that has been at the other end of California District Attorney (“DA”) investigations into hazardous waste handling. The company was accused of illegally disposing hazardous waste and of violating laws regarding storage of hazardous materials on-site. In addition to the $2.1 million penalties, Autonation will pay $380,000 in DA costs and $900,000 for compliance enhancement programs.

Over the years, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) and DAs from counties across California have settled lawsuits against nation-wide retailers including Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Safeway. These companies have paid settlement amounts as high as $20 million for various hazardous waste violations. The major claims involve storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Autonation is just the most recent company added to the long list of state-wide hazardous waste settlements, joining the recent investigations of Whole Foods and Cooks Collision.

Find the full Times of San Diego article here.

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