California has sued three plastic bag manufacturers over allegedly false recycling claims and reached a $1.8 million settlement with four others that will stop selling plastic bags in the state.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that Novolex Holdings LLC, Inteplast Group Corp and Mettler Packaging LLC face legal action for alleged violations of California’s Environmental Marketing Claims Act, the False Advertising Law and the Unfair Competition Law.
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Investigation into misleading recycling labels
The lawsuit follows a three-year state investigation into whether plastic bag producers falsely marketed their products as recyclable.
Officials said most of these thicker plastic carryout bags are not accepted by recycling facilities, meaning many end up in landfills or the environment.
The inquiry began after California’s recycling commission urged tougher enforcement on labelling practices that, it said, undermined state efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Four firms agree to settlement and sales halt
Revolution Sustainable Solutions LLC, Metro Poly Corp, PreZero US Packaging LLC and Advance Polybag, Inc. have reached a settlement with the state, agreeing to halt plastic bag sales in California and pay $1.8 million.
The agreement resolves their alleged violations of the same environmental and advertising laws cited in the lawsuit.
Officials described the settlement as a step toward holding companies accountable for misleading recyclability claims and protecting California’s recycling system.
Crackdown on deceptive environmental marketing
Bonta said the legal action sends a message that no corporation is exempt from environmental laws.
The case comes amid a wider push to strengthen recycling standards and limit single-use plastics in California.
Under new rules taking effect in 2026, retailers will be allowed to provide only recycled paper carryout bags, further tightening regulations on plastic packaging and reinforcing the state’s campaign against deceptive green marketing.
