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California Sues Plastic Bag Makers for False Recycling Claims
17 Oct
Summary
- California sues 3 plastic bag makers for falsely claiming products were recyclable
- State law banned non-recyclable plastic bags, but companies mislabeled them
- Settlements reached with 4 other companies, who agreed to pay $1.8 million
On October 18, 2025, the state of California took significant action to address the growing problem of plastic pollution. The state's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, announced that California has filed lawsuits against three major plastic bag manufacturers - Novolex Holdings, Inteplast Group, and Mettler Packaging - for allegedly violating a state law passed in 2014.
The 2014 law banned the sale of plastic bags that were not recyclable. Under the law, shoppers could pay 10 cents for thicker plastic bags, but these bags were required to be reusable and recyclable. However, the state claims the bag makers falsely labeled their products as recyclable, even though recycling facilities cannot actually process them. As a result, these bags often end up in landfills, incinerators, or California's waterways, contributing to the state's plastic pollution crisis.
In addition to the lawsuits, Bonta also revealed that California has reached settlements with four other companies - Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging, and Advance Polybag. These businesses have agreed to collectively pay the state nearly $1.8 million and stop selling plastic bags in California once their existing stock is depleted.
The state's actions demonstrate its commitment to holding companies accountable for misleading the public and harming the environment. California is leading the charge in the fight against plastic pollution, taking decisive steps to protect its natural resources and public trust.
