Costco agrees to $3.6 million settlement of Alameda pharmaceutical waste suit

OAKLAND, Calif.

Costco has agreed to pay $3.6 million in civil penalties and costs to settle a state-wide lawsuit over alleged violations of environmental laws involving the safe storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste, Alameda County prosecutors announced Monday.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley announced that her office together with 28 other California District Attorneys had reached the settlement with Costco Wholesale Corporation.

The civil action was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and the settlement resolves allegations that Costco violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste as well as other hazardous waste.

The Alameda County District Attorneys Office teamed up with the other DA offices as part of a joint investigation and prosecution to address statewide violations of law after San Joaquin County inspectors found evidence of improper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste products at Costco stores.

Upon notification of the investigation, Costco officials cooperated with prosecutors and quickly came into compliance with hazardous waste management regulations.

The violations occurred over a five-year period at numerous Costco stores and distribution stores statewide, including five stores in Alameda County.

My Offices Environmental Protection Division is dedicated to ensuring that business operating in Alameda County comply with the law, says DA OMalley. As a result of this investigation and prosecution, regulated waste produced by Costco stores in California must now be properly stored, handled, transported and disposed of. Under the final judgment signed on Friday, the settlement will fund supplemental environmental projects furthering consumer protection and environmental enforcement in California.

The retailer will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future alleged violations of law.

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Costco agrees to $3.6 million settlement of Alameda pharmaceutical waste suit