Whole Foods, EPA reach deal in $3.5 million fine

Whole Foods Market says it has launched a series of new environmental efforts related to certain hazardous waste after announcing a settlement deal with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The EPA said it fined the organic foods giant $3.5 million after finding about a year ago that it wasn’t properly documenting and disposing of returned items of hand sanitizer, vitamins and other products in several states, including Texas. Since that time, Whole Foods and the EPA located in Region 6 — which comprises the states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico — have drawn up new plans on how the retailer will log and dispose of such items, which also includes perfumes and nail polish.