California's attorney general says our hometown retailer has been caught dumping hazardous waste into landfills more than 300 times since 2001. The state is suing the company, seeking $25,000 per violation, described as "past, ongoing and persistent."

The Star Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle report on the story this morning. The list of toxic substances Target is accused of chucking in the trash includes: bleach, paints, pesticides, oven cleaners, electronic waste, medical waste and mercury-containing light bulbs.

Target says it's "very disappointed" with California's decision to sue, and that it's been "participating in a cooperative and constructive dialogue" for almost three years. Well, it's apparently not been very constructive if after three years the state says Target is still dumping.

The most frustrating quote comes from retail expert Britt Beemer, commenting to the Strib on whether the lawsuit will tarnish Target's "good corporate citizen" reputation: "Most people will say, 'It's going to the landfill? Give me a break.' Now, if they were dumping into a local creek, that'd be different."

I guess I should cut him some slack because he's a retail expert, not an environmental expert, but he and others should understand: It all winds up in the same place. When hazardous waste is dumped into landfills that aren't built to contain it, toxic substances can leak into the soil and groundwater (See: 3M and PFCs).

And Target, for future reference here's a helpful guide from the MPCA on how to dispose of household hazardous wastes.