Tesla settles California hazardous waste lawsuit with a $1.5M fine

Just two days ago, district attorneys in 25 California counties filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging the automaker was recycling hazardous waste at factories across the country.

According to the statement made by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Tesla agreed to pay $1.3 million in civil damages, compensation and $200,000 in investigation costs. Tesla is also under a five-year ban requiring it to train workers and hire others to conduct annual waste inspections at 10% of its facilities. According to a joint press release issued on Thursday evening, the inspections will be carried out annually for five years, and inspectors will inspect the dumps for waste.

According to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA), Tesla will pay the future costs of these inspections.

Tesla has 57 vehicle service centers and 18 solar facilities throughout California. The company also produces electric vehicles at its Fremont plant in Alameda County.

The SFDA agency quickly announced the decision, stating that the two parties reached a decision before the complaint was filed. “The complaint and decision regarding this agreement are listed simultaneously on Tuesday. But the judge disagreed with the decision to date, a spokesperson for the State Food and Drug Administration wrote in an email.

"While electric vehicles are beneficial to the environment, their production and service also create a lot of landfill," San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement. "Today's settlement agreement against Tesla Inc. . It is designed to ensure a clean environment for citizens across the state by preventing mismanagement and illegal disposal of harmful waste, causing our products to have a good impact. California's environmental laws provide for the proper disposal of waste.”

The complaint, filed Jan. 30 in San Joaquin Superior Court, accused Tesla of mislabeling and making the paint “lead-acid and other batteries.” brake fluid, aerosols, antifreeze, acetone, diesel and other manufacturing and service supplies statewide. According to the lawsuit, Tesla is also accused of failing to dispose of the site and hazardous waste in an unacceptable landfill. He was already checking trash bins at Tesla's car service centers.He would be subject to secret surveillance. The investigation revealed that many hazardous substances such as lubricants, detergents and disinfectants were illegally disposed of in the vehicle.

This discovery led to further inspection by Tesla service centers and ultimately an examination of waste materials at the automaker's Fremont factory. , discovered the illegal disposal of other hazardous waste, including automotive metal panel weld spatter waste (which may contain copper), using color mixing containers from the color processing process, and primer-contaminated rags/trash.
Tesla said in a joint press release with the SFDA office that it has launched an investigation and is taking steps to improve compliance. Dispute resolution negotiations begin before a lawsuit is filed.