Amazon and Walmart Fined Over $1 Million for Selling Banned Refrigerants in Washington

The companies were penalized by the state's Department of Ecology for continuing to sell products containing potent greenhouse gases.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 6:04am

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The Washington State Department of Ecology has fined retail giants Amazon and Walmart over $1 million collectively for selling cooling products that contain hydrofluorocarbons, a banned greenhouse gas, in violation of state law. The state has been working with the companies for years to get them to comply with the 2021 law restricting the sale of these potent climate pollutants, but the companies continued to sell the prohibited products.

Why it matters

Phasing out hydrofluorocarbons is considered one of the most cost-effective actions that can be taken to address climate change. The fines imposed on Amazon and Walmart are part of the state's efforts to ensure a level playing field as industries transition to more climate-friendly refrigerants.

The details

In 2021, Washington state passed a law restricting the sale of products containing hydrofluorocarbons, synthetic gases that can trap up to thousands of times more heat than carbon dioxide. Over 170 countries, including the United States, have committed to phasing out these substances, which are commonly found in refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire extinguisher systems. The Department of Ecology issued the penalties after finding that both Amazon and Walmart continued to sell motor vehicle air conditioning recharge cans containing the prohibited refrigerant R-134a, despite years of efforts by the state to get the companies to comply.

  • In November 2021, Ecology notified businesses of the state's restriction on selling products containing a certain amount of hydrofluorocarbons.
  • In early 2022, Ecology met with Walmart representatives to discuss the specific products banned for sale in Washington.
  • By September 2022, Walmart passed its first compliance check, but Ecology later found the company was still selling some banned recharge canisters.
  • Shortly after Ecology notified Amazon of the state's ban in 2021, the company complied, but in 2022 Ecology found banned products being sold on Amazon's website.
  • In January 2023, Walmart continued to offer the prohibited items for sale in Washington.

The players

Amazon

An American multinational technology company that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

Walmart

An American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores.

Washington State Department of Ecology

The state agency responsible for protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington's environment, and promoting the wise management of the state's air, land, and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

Joel Creswell

The manager for Ecology's Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

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What they’re saying

“Phasing out hydrofluorocarbons is one of the most cost-effective actions we can take to address climate change. Industry is already shifting towards more climate-friendly refrigerants, and we need to make sure that there is a level playing field as we go through this transition.”

— Joel Creswell, Manager, Climate Pollution Reduction Program, Washington State Department of Ecology

What’s next

The two companies have 30 days to pay the penalties or submit an appeal to the state's Pollution Control Hearings Board.

The takeaway

This case highlights Washington state's commitment to phasing out potent greenhouse gases like hydrofluorocarbons, even when it means holding major retailers accountable for continuing to sell banned products. The fines send a strong message that the state is serious about enforcing its climate laws and ensuring a level playing field as industries transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives.