​​California state prosecutors have alleged that Walmart is involved in dumping 1 million toxic items into California landfills yearly.

California attorney general, Rob Bonta, accused the retail giant of not properly discarding toxic items from their stock and returns. This includes more than 1 million batteries, aerosol cans of insect killer, cleaning supplies, electronic waste, latex paints, and other hazardous waste.

The attorney general’s office filed a similar lawsuit in 2010, which Walmart ended up paying for. They also settled a similar lawsuit in Missouri, showing just how little they have truly changed their ways.

Bonta said, “When a big box store disposes of unwanted goods, just like the rest of us, they need to do so properly. Unfortunately, Walmart, the largest company in the world by revenue, has failed to do that on a grand scale here in California.”

Meredith Williams, director of the California Department of toxic substances control, said, “Pesticides, electronics, household hazardous waste must be disposed of properly, or they can be released into our air, our water, and soil, resulting in a number of negative health outcomes, including cancer, neurological disorders, asthma, or learning disabilities.”

The retail giant has stated that it plans to fight the charges despite the abundance of incriminating evidence.

This type of waste discarding is incredibly dangerous and puts the entire state in danger. These toxic items pollute the environment and waterways, which can have a devastating impact on local communities and wildlife.

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