Albertsons Settles After Allegations of Dumping Hazardous Waste

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Albertsons supermarket chain will pay $3.3 million to settle allegations that its California stores illegally dumped hazardous waste, including over-the-counter medication, pool chemicals and batteries.

The settlement was announced Tuesday by various agencies that sued the Idaho-based chain in Orange County Superior Court. Prosecutors contended that stores threw hazardous products in dumpsters or used waste processors that weren't authorized to handle the material. Albertsons didn't acknowledge wrongdoing but agreed to reform waste management practices at its 118 California stores.

In a statement, the chain says it complies with state and federal laws and already has procedures in place for handling hazardous waste. The case was brought by 11 agencies including the Los Angeles city attorney's office and district attorneys in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties.