ESG Enforcement Tracker

Key facts:

UPS, an American multinational shipping and delivery company, were investigated in California for allegedly irresponsibly disposing of hazardous and medical waste in regular rubbish bins. The bins were then purportedly sent to landfills locations that were not equipped to properly receive or dispose of the hazardous waste. The waste in question allegedly included toxic, reactive and corrosive substances that were not properly contained or labelled.

The investigation took place over a number of years and 140 UPS locations in California. As a result of the investigation, a lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 45 District Attorneys across the state of California in San Joaquin County Superior Court on 23 July 2025.

On 4 August 2025, it was announced by Riverside County district attorney’s office, that UPS had agreed to pay US$1.7million to settle the proceedings.
The Riverside County district attorney’s office commented that UPS were cooperative with the investigation and quick to improve upon the issues raised in the proceedings.