Old Dominion Freight Line has settled a case with the state of California over allegations that the company failed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste, including e-scrap.
The trucking transportation company will pay $1.36 million in civil penalties, costs and supplemental environmental projects, a press release stated, and was also ordered to implement an improved hazardous waste compliance program at its service centers and repair facilities in the state.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office, along with 15 other district attorneys and one city attorney, investigated “numerous unlawful practices by ODFL, including illegal disposal of hazardous waste in ODFL trash receptacles, unlawful transport of hazardous waste out of state without proper documentation and without a transporter’s registration and failure to train employees in the proper management of hazardous waste,” according to the press release.
The hazardous wastes included commercial chemical products, paint materials, electronic devices, batteries, ignitable liquids, aerosol products, cleaning agents and other materials.
Old Dominion has new policies and training programs as a result, the press release noted, and “cooperated with prosecutors throughout the investigation and evaluation of this matter.”
Several other companies have settled with the state of California in recent years over hazardous waste disposal. DISH Network paid $5.5 million earlier this year. In 2020, Walgreens paid $3.5 million, Ross Stores paid over $3.3 million and Bed Bath & Beyond paid $1.5 million.
