STOCKTON - This week, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a statewide settlement with Minnesota-based Target Corporation. The settlement resolves allegations that Target violated state laws and injunctive terms from a 2011 stipulated judgment regarding the company's handling and disposal of retail hazardous waste.

The current settlement follows investigations conducted by representatives of district attorneys' offices along with local regulatory agencies regarding Target's disposal practices, alleging that between 2012 and 2016, the company committed violations by improperly disposing hazardous waste into landfills. The waste included items such as electronics, batteries, aerosol cans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and medical waste including syringes, over-the-counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals, as well as confidential medical information from its customers.

After notifying Target of the violations found, the prosecutors, on behalf of the People of the State of California, entered into an agreement with the company to revise the judgement entered as part of the 2011 settlement in order to resolve the more recent violations detected by the prosecutors' post-judgement investigation.

The revised final judgement terms were approved by the Alameda County Superior Court on December 5, 2018, and include funding of Supplemental Environmental Projects to conduct education classes and programs for owners and operators of small businesses located in low income and minority areas in California; creation and implementation of a customer trash receptacle inspection and management program; and civil penalties and costs of investigation and enforcement.

The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office was one of 24 county and local governments engaged on a working group led by the AG's office. Dedicated to protecting natural resources, and preventing air and water pollution, the Environmental Crimes Unit of the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office investigates and prosecutes complex environmental crimes. Enforcement of environmental laws and regulations helps us to ensure the safety of our residents and the planet; it also serves to prevent violators from gaining an unfair business advantage over competitors who adhere to the rules.

We are committed to continuing to work collaboratively with other jurisdictions within the state of California on cases such as these to ensure that businesses are compliant with the rules and regulations regarding the proper handling and disposal of retail hazardous waste and confidential customer information. Our office appreciates the efforts of the California Attorney General's office, and the county and local offices who contributed to this settlement.

A copy of the signed judgement may be found on the California Attorney General's website, available here.