Macy's, the Ohio-based retail giant, has been ordered to pay $1.6 million in civil penalties and costs for environmental violations. The judgment comes after an investigation into Macy's improper handling of hazardous waste across its 98 California retail locations, including three in Riverside County. Instead of following proper protocols for storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous waste, Macy's unlawfully discarded such materials in regular trash bins and transported them to local landfills ill-equipped to handle hazardous waste.
Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, along with District Attorneys from 25 other counties and two City Attorneys, filed a civil lawsuit against Macy's, leading to the judgment. The hazardous waste discarded by Macy's included items such as batteries, electronic devices, flammable liquids, aerosol products, cleaning agents, and drug-labeled items. These materials are classified as flammable, reactive, toxic, or corrosive.
As part of the court's decision, Riverside County is set to receive $157,500 in civil penalties and $36,800 for cost reimbursement. The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will also be awarded $25,750 in civil penalties and $10,000 in cost reimbursement. Overall, Macy's is required to pay a total of $1,175,000 in civil penalties and $425,000 in cost reimbursement.
Macy's has cooperated with investigators throughout the inquiry and has implemented enhanced policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The company now uses state-registered haulers to collect and transport its hazardous waste to authorized disposal facilities, with thorough documentation. This settlement serves as a reminder to all retail stores of their obligation to responsibly dispose of hazardous waste generated in their operations. The final judgment in the case was approved by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Irma Asberry on September 21, 2023.