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
$500K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced settlements with SunRun, Inc., Elevate Solar Solutions, and two salespeople over allegations of deceptive solar sales, including impersonating consumers and locking homeowners into long-term contracts without consent. SunRun must pay $300,000 and provide consumer relief; Elevate and the salespeople face a stated $200,000 penalty, with $100,000 suspended subject to ongoing compliance.
$8.0M
Connecticut announced an $8 million settlement with Mylan over allegations that it used agreements to delay generic EpiPen competitors and took other actions that inflated prices. Mylan also agreed to provide 10,000 free EpiPens; the release states that Mylan denies wrongdoing.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief challenging DHS’s policy and practice of conducting warrantless civil immigration arrests. The press release describes a court challenge, not a privacy enforcement action or monetary penalty.
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.