environmental Strategist®, between the lines: As we have reported for more than two decades, Illegal disposal of waste in the United States is a tens of billions of dollars a year industry.
What does a company look like that illegally disposes of waste? Besides Home Depot, illegal disposers or waste that have paid government fines and penalties include Wal-Mart, AT&T, Lowes, Costco, Safeway Grocery stores to name a few.
Under Federal law, property owners are ultimately responsible for the environmental condition of their property regardless of who caused the environmental liability.
So, the real question for real estate owners, what is your financial assurance strategy should a third party contaminate your land? Environmental insurance policies can protect property owners should third parties contaminate their land.
A few more links to stories on companies identified as illegal disposers of waste. We could fill volumes with these exact same types of stories.
- http://www.rcrwireless.com/20141121/carriers/att-fined-23-8m-for-illegal-disposal-of-hazardous-waste-tag2
- http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article19430040.html#storylink=cpy
- http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/wal-mart-is-fined-82-million-over-mishandling-of-hazardous-wastes.html?_r=0
- http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2014/09/17/t-j-maxx-parent-hit-with-27-million-fine-for-dumping-hazardous-wastes
- http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/waste_not/mike_hower/safeway_99_cents_only_fined_improper_hazardous_waste_disposal