Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) has agreed to pay more than $3.5 million over hazardous waste regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) learned that several facilities run by the company improperly identified or mishandled hazardous waste. These facilities were in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The EPA investigation discovered that Whole Foods’ breaches lasted more than a year. The company is making amends with the agency by creating and funding a project that will teach Texas retailers about why complying with hazardous waste laws is important.
Regional Administrator Ron Curry spoke of the matter in a release, noting that all companies have to follow the law “and be responsible stewards of their hazardous waste, from generating it to safely disposing of it.”
He added that Whole Foods is correcting these violations and ensuring that its stores and facilities follow EPA regulations. Additionally, they will launch a new tracking system that will dig deeper into hazardous waste, potentially revolutionizing the industry.
The investigation has been ongoing since the New Mexico Environment Department asked the agency to investigate Whole Foods.
In other environmental news, an Alabama pipeline was recently pierced, causing a leak that spilled over onto a national wildlife refuge. The damage caused was minimal as it was contained.
The incident caused gas prices throughout the East Coast to rise slightly.
WFM stock is down 0.8% Tuesday.
