eS on Illegal Disposal of Waste

Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Illegal disposal of waste in the United States is a tens of billions of dollars a year industry. Illegally disposed of waste migrates onto third party properties placing people and our environment in harm’s way.

The hard part is identifying a business that illegally disposes of waste. In fact, chances are very good that you do business with and support businesses that illegally dispose of waste. WHAT!!!!!

The following is just a fraction of the companies that have paid fines and penalties to the government for illegally disposing of waste such as pesticides, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, pharmaceuticals, bleach, fertilizer, electronic waste and other toxic materials.

Wal-mart (paid $82,000,000, paid another $100,000,000, paid,…)

AT&T (paid $28,000,000, paid another $52,000,000, paid…)

Lowes (paid $18,000,000)

Costco (paid $3,600,000)

Safeway (paid $10,000,000)

99 Cents Only Stores (paid $2,000,000)

Bottom line, it’s more profitable and easier for companies to illegally dispose of waste than following regulations so the practice of illegally disposing of waste will continue to flourish. Businesses need to have a financial assurance strategy to protect themselves against the environmental exposures created by illegally disposed of waste. Environmental liability insurance can protect you against this environmental exposure.

A few links to stories on companies identified as illegal disposers of waste. We could fill volumes with these exact same types of stories.