In addition to correcting the violations and paying penalties, Whole Foods will also promote hazardous waste compliance in the retail industry as part of a supplemental environmental project, or SEP.
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During a year-long investigation, the EPA found hazardous waste handling violations at Whole Foods facilities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico, the agency said.
Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Whole Foods Inc. over violations of hazardous waste regulations.
“Whole Foods Market takes environmental stewardship extremely seriously”, the company said in a written statement.
A copy of the settlement agreement said the EPA concluded that Whole Foods “failed to make a sufficient hazardous waste determination”. Whole Foods also improperly handled spent lamps, which are categorized as “universal” hazardous waste, a type of hazardous waste composed of items common to many types of facilities and industrial sectors.
Whole Foods, a company known incorporating environmental sustainability into its business strategy, said the products in question include nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, liquor and vitamins. The products become hazardous waste typically when opened and returned by a customer, no longer allowing them to return to store shelves.
Whole Foods says it will eventually extend its environmental waste plan to all of its US stores and facilities and, in partnership with the EPA, has committed to training and sharing these practices with businesses in Region 6 to support efforts to improve environmental compliance efforts across industries.
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The investigation was originally launched by the EPA after problems were found by the New Mexico Environmental Department.
