Overview
- Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit against Novolex Holdings, Inteplast Group, and Mettler Packaging alleging violations of SB 270, the Environmental Marketing Claims Act, the False Advertising Law, and the Unfair Competition Law.
- Four manufacturers — Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging, and Advance Polybag — agreed to stop selling the bags in California and pay roughly $1.75 million, with settlements subject to court approval.
- Investigators said the sued companies could not provide evidence that their bags were recycled in California or quantify in‑state recycling of their products despite labels and chasing‑arrows symbols indicating recyclability.
- A statewide survey of 69 waste and recycling facilities found only two claimed to accept plastic bags, and neither could confirm the bags were actually recycled.
- The lawsuit seeks monetary penalties, disgorgement, and injunctive relief, while a separate law will phase plastic grocery bags out of California stores starting Jan. 1, 2026.