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Pest Control Firms Pay Millions for Illegal Dumps
20 Nov
Summary
- Three California pest control companies settled a lawsuit for illegal pesticide disposal.
- Companies improperly disposed of waste and customer records for nearly a year.
- Settlement includes $3.15 million fine, reforms, and five-year oversight period.
Three prominent pest control companies in California, Clark Pest Control, Orkin Services, and Crane Pest Control, have agreed to pay a combined $3.15 million in penalties and compliance measures. This settlement resolves allegations of illegally dumping hazardous waste and pesticides in unauthorized landfills between March 2021 and February 2022. Investigators discovered toxic materials and sensitive customer data improperly discarded.
The lawsuit, initiated by district attorneys across California, highlighted the improper disposal of pesticide containers and various other waste items. Furthermore, the companies were found to have violated privacy laws by failing to shred thousands of customer records. The parent company, Rollins, Inc., cooperated with authorities and implemented immediate policy changes.
Beyond the financial penalties, the settlement mandates a five-year injunction requiring operational reforms. These include third-party audits of waste disposal practices, proof of employee training, and a minimum of 2,000 annual hours dedicated to enhanced environmental compliance oversight and review.
