AutoZone settles California hazardous waste claims for $11M

AutoZone has agreed to pay $11 million to settle California allegations that it unlawfully dumped batteries and other hazardous waste.

The attorney general's office and prosecutors from various counties have announced the settlement.

Authorities alleged that from 2013 to 2015, the Tennessee-based auto parts retailer dumped or allowed customers to dump some 5 million hazardous waste items into trash bins at dozens of stores, including batteries, aerosol cans and electronic devices.

Authorities also alleged that AutoZone violated laws protecting consumer information by unlawfully disposing of customer records without having rendered personal information unreadable.