{"id":11442,"date":"2026-01-31T09:31:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T14:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=11442"},"modified":"2026-01-31T09:31:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T14:31:16","slug":"plastic-bag-makers-fined-over-recyclability-claims-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=11442","title":{"rendered":"Plastic bag makers fined over recyclability claims in California"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Authorities say the case signals tougher scrutiny of recyclability claims and rising pressure on packaging producers to prove real-world recycling. \/ Credit: Alicia97 via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

California\u2019s Department of Justice has secured a combined $3.35 million settlement with major plastic bag manufacturers over alleged misrepresentation of recyclability claims and violations of state environmental laws.<\/p>\n

The move follows a multi-year investigation led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta into whether bags marketed as \u201crecyclable\u201d in the state were in fact recyclable under existing regulations.<\/p>\n

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Seven producers are now responsible for more than $5.1 million in penalties and legal costs under separate settlements and consent judgments.<\/p>\n

Settlements resolve alleged misleading recyclability claims<\/h2>\n

The settlements involve three plastic bag producers \u2014 Novolex Holdings, Inteplast Group and Mettler Packaging \u2014 which agreed to pay a total of $3.35 million in civil penalties and attorneys\u2019 fees to resolve claims they sold non-recyclable plastic bags in California while representing them as recyclable.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Novolex agreed to pay $1.65m, Inteplast $1m and Mettler $700,000. These agreements conclude enforcement actions alleging violations of California\u2019s Environmental Marketing Claims Act (EMCA), False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law, as well as Senate Bill 270, the state\u2019s plastic bag law.<\/p>\n

The settlements with the three producers follow earlier agreements with four other manufacturers \u2014 Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging and Advance Polybag \u2014 who paid penalties and agreed to cease selling plastic bags in the state.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Combined, all seven producers will pay more than $5.1m and stop supplying non-compliant products in advance of legislative changes.<\/p>\n

Broader context and implications for plastic waste management<\/h2>\n

The settlements coincide with the upcoming implementation of SB 1053, a new California law effective from 1 January 2026 that bans all plastic checkout bags in retail outlets and requires stores to offer either recycled paper bags or allow customers to use their own reusable alternatives.<\/p>\n

Six of the seven settled producers agreed to stop selling plastic bags before the law\u2019s effective date.<\/p>\n

Officials say the actions are part of a broader effort to reduce plastic pollution, citing environmental concerns about waste accumulation in landfills and natural ecosystems when bags labelled \u201crecyclable\u201d are not actually recycled.<\/p>\n

The decisions by courts and regulators have implications for how environmental claims are made in product marketing and reinforce the need for concrete recycling pathways that match such claims.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers involved in the settlements did not admit liability under the consent judgments, and negotiations included provisions for permanent injunctive relief against future non-compliant sales in California.<\/p>\n

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