Frontier California agrees to $3.5 million settlement with California AG over hazardous waste violations

San Mateo County, California – Working with the District Attorneys of Alameda and San Mateo Counties, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a sizable $3.5 million settlement with Frontier California, Inc. This legal agreement covers prior company’s criminal acts including the dumping of hazardous trash. This settlement represents a major turning point in implementing environmental protection rules and guaranteeing that such violations never repeat.

Frontier California has been under close examination for several years on how it handles hazardous trash; allegations revolve on illegal dumping methods that compromise public health or the environment. The problem surfaced after many trash audits carried out between 2011 and 2013 at several Frontier sites—formerly operated by Verizon California, Inc. More than 300 dangerous objects—including batteries, aerosol cans, and electrical gadgets carrying toxic chemicals—were found among the improperly disposed items found in conventional garbage dumpsters during these inspections.

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Frontier California will pay a total of $3.5 million to get rid of these charges. Of this, $2.8 million will go toward civil fines; $450,000 will fund attorney fees and expenses; and $250,000 is set aside for additional environmental programs. These projects seek to support efforts at environmental enforcement. Frontier is also required to donate at least $500,000 for extra environmental compliance initiatives to guarantee legal requirement conformity.

The settlement not only fines Frontier for past offenses but also lays out a rigorous compliance policy meant to stop more violations. Under the agreement, Frontier has to follow strict policies for the labeling, transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous material. This covers three independent environmental compliance audits and required staff management of hazardous waste training.

Interim Head of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office of Consumer, Environmental, and Special Prosecutions Unit Carlos Guzman said he approved of Frontier’s involvement with the investigation and its dedication to correcting the violations.

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“The illegal disposal of hazardous waste puts our environment, workers and communities at risk and violates California law,” Guzman said. “We are encouraged that Frontier cooperated with the district attorneys’ and Attorney General’s offices in taking decisive action to address the alleged past violations and to protect against future problems.”

“My office remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure that those who commit offenses that are harmful to the environment are brought to justice,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. “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.”

The legal requirements established by the settlement require that Frontier follow strict environmental criteria for at least the next five years. These steps are meant to stop any comeback of the problems with hazardous waste management and provide a safer, more compliant operational environment.

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Awaiting court approval, this settlement emphasizes the ongoing efforts of state officials to strictly enforce environmental laws and safeguard California’s natural resources as well as the health of its populations. The Attorney General’s office has a copy of the complaint together with the suggested agreed judgment and the parameters of settlement available. This lawsuit represents a turning point in California’s continuous dedication to business accountability and environmental preservation.

A copy of the complaint and proposed stipulated judgment, which details the aforementioned settlement terms and remains subject to court approval, can be found here and here.