"A judge ordered Safeway to pay nearly $10 million to 41 California counties and cities for illegally disposing of household chemicals and medicines from its stores and distribution centers over a seven-year span.

The $9.87 million settlement, approved Friday in Alameda Superior Court and announced Monday, stems from allegations that more than 500 California stores and distribution centers in the Pleasanton-based supermarket chain improperly handled and disposed of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste that came from spills and customer returns.

Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties each received a portion of the settlement."

Darrell Smith reports for the Sacramento Bee January 5, 2015. [2]