NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that the state has reached separate settlements with Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Home Centers LLC after allegations of violating a 2010 state law enacted to reduce water pollution.
The law mandates that stores must display lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus separately from those that are phosphorus-free. According to claims, 19 of 21 Home Depot stores assessed in the state and 16 of 18 Lowe’s stores did not follow this rule properly.
“Clean water is not only essential for New Yorkers’ health, but it also underpins our state’s economy,” Schneiderman said. “The state’s Nutrient Runoff Law requires retailers to help consumers protect clean water by avoiding improper use of lawn fertilizers. We will continue to enforce this important environmental law in order to ensure New York’s waters are safe and healthy for today and the future.”
Home Depot will pay $78,000 in its settlement, while Lowe’s will pay $52,000. Additionally, the companies must bring their stores into full compliance with the Nutrient Runoff Law.
Home Depot will compile and disclose several years of fertilizer sales data to help the state assess the effectiveness of the law.