25 California counties are suing Tesla for improperly managing hazardous waste from its operations. After months of settlement discussions, the lawsuit was filed.
The San Joaquin County Superior Court complaint alleges that Tesla improperly labeled and disposed of “lead acid batteries and other batteries,” paints, brake fluid, aerosols, antifreeze, acetone, diesel fuel, and more at its production and service facilities across the state. Tesla reportedly unlawfully disposed of the garbage on-site and at hazardous waste sites.
The county district attorneys want an injunction and civil fines to require Tesla to properly treat garbage at the sites. Tesla may be fined $70,000 per infraction every day, according to Reuters, which first reported the claim. 
Tesla disclosed to the SEC in 2022 that many California district attorney offices were investigating its waste management procedures. The corporation “had implemented various remedial measures, including conducting training and audits and enhancements to its site waste management programs.”
The business announced settlement discussions with those district attorneys in October 2023. The complaint alleges such conversations failed. The San Francisco and San Joaquin District Attorneys, who oversaw the investigation, did not immediately respond to questions about how the settlement discussions went.
Tesla’s California operations have been criticized for their environmental effects. In 2019, the firm resolved with the EPA for many breaches at its Fremont, California, facility, including hazardous waste labeling. A $31,000 fine and a $55,000 layout were imposed to cover first responder emergency response equipment. In 2022, Tesla was fined $275,000 for Clean Air Act violations at the same facility.
