E-Waste Settlement Nets State of California $51.8 Million

By Steven M. Siros

AT&T agreed to pay $51.8 million to resolve allegations that it improperly disposed of hazardous electronic waste at its facilities in California. In one of the first enforcement actions of its kind in California, AT&T has agreed to expend $28 million over the next five years to improve its electronic waste handling practices, as well as pay $18.8 million in civil penalties and $5 million to fund environmental programs in California.

AT&T's alleged unlawful disposal practices were first discovered in 2011 as a result of an inspection that revealed that AT&T was regularly sending electronic wastes to landfills that were not permitted to receive them. Under the settlement agreement, which still requires final court approval, AT&T has agreed to deposit electronic waste into "staging bins" to ensure that its electronic wastes are not combined with normal trash. AT&T also will conduct hundreds of random dumpster inspections on an annual basis.

Click here to see a copy of the proposed Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction on Consent.

 Steven M. Siros, Partner, Jenner & Block

Read more at Corporate Environmental Lawyer Blog by Jenner & Block LLP.

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