Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sued Reynolds Consumer Products for violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act by falsely marketing Hefty 'Recycling Bags' as recyclable and suitable for recycling programs, despite knowing they are incompatible with Connecticut's recycling facilities and cause contamination. The lawsuit seeks damages, injunctive relief, and other remedies to stop the deceptive practice.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages including disgorgement of profits and civil penalties, as well as non-monetary relief such as an injunction to prevent further deceptive marketing, corrective notices to consumers, and requirements to prevent harm to Connecticut's recycling systems.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements with suppliers of raw materials, customer contracts with retailers (especially those involving private-label or co-branded products), and marketing/licensing agreements where product claims are made. Specific clauses to scrutinize include representations and warranties regarding product recyclability and compatibility with municipal programs, marketing and advertising compliance clauses, indemnification provisions for false or misleading claims, and termination clauses triggered by regulatory action or misrepresentation. Changes may be needed to require substantiation of all environmental claims (e.g., third-party certifications, facility compatibility tests), mandate pre-approval of marketing language, and include audit rights to verify ongoing compliance with stated recyclability attributes.
Entity
Reynolds Consumer Products
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2022-press-releases/ag-tong-sues-reynolds-over-hefty-recycling-bags
hefty complaint pdf.pdf?rev=e2addf904676477185c9a10d8cc2eff2
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2022/hefty-complaint-pdf.pdf?rev=e2addf904676477185c9a10d8cc2eff2&hash=DE2C2FAD50FB82945593B04F101D37DB
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$29.6M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, for allegedly conspiring to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation in ongoing litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition.
$29.6M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, to resolve allegations of a widespread conspiracy to artificially inflate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation from Glenmark in ongoing multistate litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
$18.0M
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$45.0M
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