California has initiated legal action against three prominent plastic bag manufacturers while reaching a settlement with four others, following an investigation into their misleading claims about the recyclability of their products. On March 15, 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit against Novolex Holdings LLC, Inteplast Group Corp, and Mettler Packaging LLC. The allegations include violations of California’s Environmental Marketing Claims Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law.
In conjunction with the lawsuit, Bonta confirmed a settlement with four additional plastic bag producers: Revolution Sustainable Solutions LLC, Metro Poly Corp, PreZero US Packaging LLC, and Advance Polybag, Inc.. These companies will pay a total of $1.8 million to the state and have agreed to cease the sale of plastic bags in California.
Bonta emphasized the seriousness of the violations, stating, “Billions of plastic carryout bags end up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment instead of being recycled as the bags proclaim. Our legal actions today make it clear: No corporation is above the law.”
The legal actions follow a nearly three-year investigation that commenced when the California Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling urged Bonta and the regulator CalRecycle to investigate what they described as illegal labeling practices. These practices were undermining the state’s efforts to combat plastic pollution.
The controversy centers around thicker plastic bags that some retailers began selling after California’s 2017 ban on single-use shopping bags. Critics argued that the loophole allowed retailers to market reusable plastic bags as recyclable, provided they complied with certain conditions, which were not always met.
The settlement reached with the four companies represents a significant step in California’s ongoing battle against plastic waste. As the state continues to prioritize environmental issues, the outcome of this lawsuit may serve as a precedent for future actions against misleading marketing in the plastic industry.
With these developments, California aims to not only enforce existing laws but also to protect the environment and public trust in product labeling. The Attorney General’s office remains committed to holding corporations accountable for their claims, ensuring that consumers have access to truthful information about the products they purchase.
