California Air Resources Board

$75,000 Fine Paid by Trash Company

An investigation by the Air Resources Board (ARB) showed that Waste Management Collection & Recycling, Inc. of Santa Ana failed to properly self-inspect their diesel trucks to assure the trucks met State smoke emission standards. ARB found 43 vehicles that had not been subjected to the required inspections. Of those that were tested, Waste Management used a smoke opacity meter that was not in proper working order.

The ARB presented investigation results to the Orange County District Attorney's (DA) office, which filed a consumer protection suit against the trash company. The DA's suit against Waste Management was settled in Orange County Superior Court during September 2001.

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