In recent news, Walgreen’s has finalized their court battle with San Mateo County, agreeing to pay a $58,000 settlement. On June 2012, Districs Attorneys from several California cities filed lawsuits against Walgreen’s for the way they handled and disposed hazardous waste. The lawsuit accused that more than 600 Walgreen’s stores in the state were disposing their hazardous waste including bleach, aerosols, pesticides and pharmaceuticals to local landfills as oppose to hiring junk hauling services to properly dispose the waste in disposal facilities. The case was brought up against Walgreen’s after test and waste inspections were conducted over a six year period by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, local environmental health agencies, district attorney investigators and environmental regulators in 2009.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge, Wynne Carvill, ordered Walgreen’s to pay $16.57 million in the settlement for civil penalties and cost, through which San Mateo County will receive $58,000 of the settlement. Much of the settlement will fund environmental projects such as consumer protection and environmental enforcement in California. In response to the settlement, Walgreen’s has initiated talks with California government officials and communities to develop and implement a better waste management program in the near future.

Fast Haul supports clean business practices including proper waste disposal and the removal of junk. Fast Haul also encourages counties such as San Mateo to be active and vigilant in instituting and enforcing local environmental laws.