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Recyclable trash bags class action lawsuits overview:
- Who: Darren Millam and Shana Gudgel filed class action lawsuits against Walmart Inc. and Reynolds Consumer Products Inc., respectively.
- Why: The plaintiffs claim Walmart falsely markets the bags as recyclable.
- Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in California and Florida federal court.
Walmart’s Great Value brand Recycling Drawstring Bags and Hefty Recycling Trash Bags manufactured by Reynolds Consumer Products are misrepresented to consumers as being recyclable, a pair of new class action lawsuits allege.
Plaintiffs Darren Milliam and Shana Gudgel claim in separate class action lawsuits that the trash bags are not actually recyclable as the company’s advertise them.
Millam claims Walmart markets its Great Value brand Recycling Drawstring Bags as recyclable in order to “take advantage of consumers’ demand” for recyclable products.
Walmart labels its Great Value brand Recycling Drawstring Bags with a large recycling symbol and the text “MUNICIPAL PROGRAMS” in order to give consumers the impression they are recyclable, the Walmart class action alleges.
“In truth, the bags contaminate the recyclable waste stream, decrease the recyclability of otherwise recyclable materials, and are not themselves recyclable because they are made from low-density polyethylene plastic,” states the Walmart class action.
Millam wants to represent a California Class of consumers who have purchased Great Value brand Recycling Drawstring Bags in the state since July 2018.
Millam claims Walmart is guilty of negligent misrepresentation and fraud, among other things, and in violation of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act and False Advertising Law, among other things.
Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting declaratory and injunctive relief along with compensatory, statutory, treble, and punitive damages for himself and all Class Members.
Reynolds Hefty recycling trash bags not suitable for recycling
Gudgel, meanwhile, claims Reynolds falsely advertises and labels that its Hefty Recycling Trash Bags are “suitable for recycling.”
The packaging for Hefty Recycling Trash Bags prominently features the word “RECYCLING” in white font over a green background, according to the Hefty class action.
Gudgel argues Reynold’s website also contains “additional representations about the suitability of the Hefty ‘Recycling’ trash bags for recycling.”
Despite this, the material used to produce the Hefty Recycling Trash Bags makes them not suitable for recycling at Florida solid waste disposal facilities, the Hefty class action alleges.
Gudgel wants to represent a Florida Class of consumers who purchased Hefty Recycling Trash Bags through the date of Class certification.
Gudgel claims Reynolds is in violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. She is demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive and declaratory relief along with compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages for herself and all Class Members.
A separate class action lawsuit was filed against Reynolds last year by a consumer claiming the company failed to disclose that its Hefty brand recycling bags actually harm the planet.
Have you purchased a Hefty or Great Value brand trash bag under the belief that it was recyclable? Let us know in the comments!
Milliam is represented by Seth A. Safier and Marie McCrary of Gutride Safier LLP.
Gudgel is represented by William Wright and Daniel Faherty of The Wright Law Office, P.A.
The Recyclable Trash Bags Class Action Lawsuits are Millam v. Walmart Inc., Case No. 5:22-cv-01090, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and Gudgel v. Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc., Case No. 6:22-cv-01149, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
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691 thoughts onHefty, Walmart class actions claims companies falsely advertise recyclability of trash bags
Bought these when I visited Florida last year
Add me please, I use these