Woolard v. Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.

alleged that the defendant companies misrepresented that Hefty Recycling trash bags were suitable for recycling. The plaintiff alleged that he and other consumers “actively seek out products that are recyclable to prevent the increase in global waste and to minimize their environmental footprint” and that they relied on the defendants’ representations when they purchased the trash bags and would not have bought the bags or paid as much for them if they had known the truth about the bags’ recyclability. The complaint alleged that the environmental harms of plastic waste include releases of “large amounts of methane” and that plastic waste was thus “thought to be a significant potential cause of global climate change.” The complaint asserted claims under California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law, and False Advertising Law, as well as claims of negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and fraud. The relief sought included restitution, disgorgement of profits, and injunctive relief requiring a recall of products and removal of “recyclable” claims on the defendants’ website and elsewhere.