By Bay City News
Telecommunications company Frontier has agreed to pay $3.5 million for penalties and costs after settling allegations of hazardous waste management, the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta and district attorneys in Alameda and San Mateo counties announced.
The improper handling of hazardous materials allegedly violated the Hazardous Waste Control Law and Unfair Competition Law, according to authorities.
Additionally, Frontier is required to take a series of actions to prevent future violations and reduce risks associated with improper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, a news release on Thursday noted.
“For years, Frontier’s careless and unlawful hazardous waste disposal practices jeopardized the health and environmental well-being of California communities,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement holds them accountable for breaking the law and implements strict measures to prevent them from putting Californians and our environment at risk in the future.”
The settlement is a result of over 12 waste inspections conducted from 2011 to 2013, during which more than 300 potentially hazardous items were recovered from regular trash dumpsters at 10 Frontier facilities, authorities said.
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These items included batteries, remote controls, aerosol cans, and more.
Back then, Frontier was owned and operated by Verizon California, Inc., the news release noted.
“This settlement should put others on notice that district attorneys and the Attorney General will continue to work together to investigate and prosecute violations against our environment,” San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said.