Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that her office, along with 33 other California District Attorneys and City Attorneys, have reached a settlement for violations of hazardous waste laws with Ulta Beauty, Inc., Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., Ulta, Inc., and Possibilities AB, Inc., (collectively referred to as, “Ulta”). The settlement requires Ulta to pay $752,000 in civil penalties, supplemental environmental projects, and costs. Ulta has 161 facilities in California, two of which are located in Monterey County.
The settlement follows an investigation by prosecutors of Ulta stores located within California for improper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous and other regulated waste, as well as inadequate employee training. Additionally, Ulta failed to take sufficient steps to preserve the confidentiality of their customers’ information by unlawfully disposing of customer records without having rendered personal information unreadable.
The settlement includes a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction, wherein Ulta must pay $439,500 in civil penalties, $250,000 in plaintiffs’ costs, and $62,500 in supplemental environmental projects. Defendants must also implement compliance assurance programs. The settlement was filed on September 15, 2021 in Solano County Superior Court Case No. FCS057080.
In full cooperation with the People’s investigation, California Ulta stores have adopted and implemented new policies and procedures and enhanced existing training programs designed to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste products, other regulated waste, and confidential customer consumer information.
“This most recent hazardous waste settlement demonstrates my office’s longstanding commitment to protecting the environment as well as consumer privacy rights by mandating safer waste practices and preserving customers’ confidential information,” said District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni.
