SAN FRANCISCO — California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta has revealed a significant enforcement initiative aimed at addressing misleading recyclability claims made by plastic bag manufacturers. Following an extensive investigation lasting nearly three years into the plastic packaging sector, a settlement of $1.75 million has been reached with four companies, alongside a lawsuit against three others accused of breaching various state regulations.
The investigation uncovered that billions of plastic carryout bags marketed as “recyclable” in California were, in fact, not recyclable according to state standards. The Attorney General stated that these false claims are not only misleading to consumers but also exacerbate the ongoing plastic pollution crisis.
The Settlement
Four companies — Revolution Sustainable Solutions LLC, Metro Poly Corp., PreZero US Packaging LLC, and Advance Polybag, Inc. — have agreed to:
- Halt plastic bag sales in California
- Pay $1.75 million in penalties and fees
- Comply with California’s recyclability and environmental marketing laws
The agreement, which is subject to court approval, resolves alleged violations of Senate Bill 270, the Environmental Marketing Claims Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law.
The Lawsuit
A separate lawsuit has been filed against Novolex Holdings LLC, Inteplast Group Corp., and Mettler Packaging LLC, accusing them of falsely marketing their plastic bags as recyclable.
According to Bonta’s office, these companies:
- Could not provide proof that their bags were actually recycled in California
- Continued to use the “chasing arrows” symbol, misleading consumers about recyclability
- Failed to identify any California recycling facilities that accept and process their bags
A statewide survey of 69 waste facilities confirmed that only two claimed to accept plastic bags—and neither could confirm that the bags were ultimately recycled.
Bonta is seeking monetary penalties, profits gained from the sales, and court-ordered changes to business practices.
“These companies prioritized profit over the environment and consumer trust,” said AG Bonta. “We’re holding them accountable to protect California families and ecosystems.”
The Bigger Picture
Plastic bags significantly contribute to pollution in California. Although they are promoted as recyclable, a large number of these bags ultimately find their way into landfills, incinerators, or contribute to environmental pollution. Once thrown away, they can decompose into microplastics, which are increasingly detected in food, water, and even within human bodies — including lungs, blood, and breast milk.
This situation is part of California’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic pollution, especially through SB 270, which prohibited single-use plastic bags and mandated that any reusable options be recyclable within the state.
The lawsuit has the potential to establish a precedent for more rigorous enforcement of recyclability claims across the country. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s office is actively examining environmental marketing practices that could mislead the public or negatively impact California’s environment.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
