Keurig ‘recyclable’ K-Cups false advertising $10M class action settlement

Updates:

• Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $14 as of Sept. 14, 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

• A judge granted final approval to this settlement March 17, 2023.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Keurig paid $10 million as part of a false advertising class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it misled consumers about its K-Cups being recyclable, and consumers do not need proof of purchase to make a claim.

The settlement benefits individuals who purchased single-serving K-Cups labeled as recyclable between June 8, 2016, and Aug. 8, 2022.

Keurig offers single-use coffee pods to use in its coffee machines. According to Keurig’s website, 100% of K-Cups are recyclable as of the end of 2020. The company claims testing shows 90% of recycled K-Cup pods had the potential to be recovered and turned into more recycled plastic for use in new products.

A 2018 class action lawsuit challenged Keurig’s claims that its K-Cups could be recycled. According to the plaintiffs in the case, the pods are too small to be recycled by most factories. Instead, the pods allegedly end up in landfills.

Despite this, the plaintiffs say Keurig includes promises on its K-Cup packaging, which touts the products as recyclable. Consumers are allegedly misled by these statements.

Plaintiffs in the Keurig class action lawsuit say they and other consumers wouldn’t have purchased the pods and would have sought out a recyclable, compostable or reusable alternative if they knew the truth.

Keurig refuted these claims, saying that reasonable consumers would know that K-Cups couldn’t be recycled everywhere. The company attempted to have the case dismissed, but was unsuccessful.

Keurig hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $10 million to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the Keurig settlement, class members can receive compensation for the K-Cups they purchased.

Class members with proof of purchase can receive $3.50 for every 100 pods; each household is eligible for a minimum possible payment of $6 and a maximum total payment of $36.

Class members without proof of purchase are limited to payments of $5 per household.

Keurig also has agreed to update the labeling on single use K-Cup packaging to better inform consumers that the pods may not be recyclable in their area. This disclosure would be in a larger font size than seen on current packaging, meaning consumers will better notice the warning. Similar information will be provided on Keurig’s website.

If any funds remain in the settlement after payments are distributed, 75% of the remaining money will go to Ocean Conservancy, while the remaining 25% will go toward Consumer Reports.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 24, 2022.

The final approval hearing for the Keurig false advertising class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Dec. 8, 2022.

In order to benefit from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 9, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits individuals who purchased single serving K-Cups labeled as recyclable between June 8, 2016, and Aug. 8, 2022.

Potential Award

$36

Proof of Purchase

Proof of purchase not required

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/09/2023

Case Name

Smith v. Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Case No. 4:18-CV-06690-HSG in the District Court for the Northern District of California 

Final Hearing

12/08/2022

Settlement Website

KCupsRecyclingSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Smith v. Keurig Green Mountain
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
833-620-3588

Class Counsel

Howard Hirsch
Ryan Berghoff
LEXINGTON LAW GROUP

Defense Counsel

Kent J Schmidt
Navdeep K Singh
DORSEY & WHITNEY