Whole Foods is being ordered to pay $1.6 million after reportedly mishandling hazardous waste at locations across California.
District attorneys from 21 agencies, including Santa Barbara County, says Whole Foods and two related companies mishandled batteries, electronics, aerosol products, cleaning products and other flammable, toxic materials over the last five years.
Santa Barbara County will receive more than $5,000 from the settlement.
In addition to the penalties, the company will have to improve employee training and document waste disposal in the future.
Santa Barbara County district attorney Joyce Dudley commented on the settlement Monday.
“We are pleased that the settlement resolves this matter with Whole Foods. Due to the cooperation of the Whole Foods companies through the investigation and prosecution, we were able to work toward a fair resolution,” Dudley said.
