Minnesota AG Filed Lawsuit against Reynolds and Walmart for Falsely Advertising Trash Bags as Recyclable

JUNE 6, 2023

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Reynolds and Walmart for deceiving consumers by falsely advertising their “Hefty” recycling bags as recyclable. The products’ packaging prominently features recycling symbols or labels, and the companies advertise the products as bags that can be filled with recyclable items and put into recycling. In reality, these bags cannot be recycled. According to the complaint, not only do these bags prevent the items inside them from being recycled, but they get tangled in machinery at processing facilities, interfering with recycling operations. The lawsuit sought penalties, forfeiture of profits from this product, and a public education campaign by the companies.