Copart To Pay $800K In Hazardous Waste Suit: Contra Costa DA

MARTINEZ, CA — Copart, an online auto auction with a facility in Martinez, has agreed to pay $800,000 in penalties and enforcement costs in a settlement reached with Contra Costa and several other California counties and cities, according to an announcement Monday from Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

The agreement is the result of a civil complaint filed by Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton and 16 other California district attorneys and city attorneys after an investigation into the waste management practices of Copart, Becton said.

The lawsuit accused Copart of disposing of hazardous waste items into the trash which was then taken to local landfills instead of authorized waste disposal facilities.

In California, Copart has auto yards in Martinez, Adelanto, Antelope, Bakersfield, Fresno, Hayward, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, Redding, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Jose, South Sacramento, Sun Valley, Vallejo and Van Nuys. The company has facilities internationally and in several other U.S. states.

The hazardous waste Copart is accused of unlawfully disposing of in California jurisdictions included used office supplies and items removed from cars being prepared for sale, such as personal items, small electronics, personal care, automotive and other consumer products, the attorneys said in their complaint.

Copart agreed to pay $650,000 in civil penalties and $150,000 in enforcement costs. Copart also agreed to a permanent injunction that prohibits the company from violating hazardous waste laws and requires it to implement compliance assurance measures.

According to Becton, Copart was cooperative with the investigation and enhanced its existing training programs so that employees know how to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste items.

"Corporations must be held accountable for conduct that poses a harm to the environment," Becton said.