Safeway Inc. is paying nearly $10 million as the result of an investigation that found more than 500 stores, including some Central Coast stores, were violating environmental regulations.
District attorneys in Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, along with 39 other California district attorneys and two city attorneys announced the settlement Monday.
The settlement resolved allegations that Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak 'n Save stores and distribution centers were improperly handling and disposing of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste.
Included in the nearly $10 million settlement, Safeway Inc. will pay civil costs, recovery costs and penalties to the District Attorney's Offices and Departments of Environmental Health Services in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.
In total, they will pay Santa Barbara County nearly $28,000. They owe San Luis Obispo County about $25,000 and the County of Monterey nearly $32,000.
There are seven Safeway Inc. owned stores in Santa Barbara County, six stores in San Luis Obispo County and eight stores in Monterey County.