Arizona AG reaches settlement over unrecyclable ‘recycling’ bags

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona’s top legal official announced the state has reached a settlement with a major consumer products corporation over what she called “misleading” packaging.

Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit in August 2025 against Reynolds Consumer Products — the parent company of Hefty — for misrepresenting its clear, blue “recycling” trash bags.

Mayes argued the company advertised the bags as “ideal for collecting recyclable materials” when in fact these plastic bags are not recyclable in Arizona cities and towns, including in Phoenix. She said the items that are in the bags can’t be recycled either.

On Monday, the attorney general’s office announced a settlement with Reynolds.

“Companies should not be able to exploit Arizonans’ well-meaning desire to protect the environment,” Attorney General Mayes said. “We won’t allow companies to mislead consumers and imply products sold in our state are recyclable unless they can actually be recycled in Arizona.”

Mayes’ office said the bags can get entangled in equipment at recycling facilities, which could cause the facilities to shut down.

The Consent Judgment announced on Monday prohibits Reynolds from selling recyclable bags unless the bags are accepted at a substantial majority of Arizona recycling facilities. The company must also redesign the packaging of its clear, blue bags to remove images that imply the bags can be recycled.

The packaging redesign, including the phrase “These Bags Are Not Recyclable,” will be implemented across the country, Mayes’ office said.

The judgment also mandates that Reynolds pay $30,000 in restitution, $157,000 to the state and $25,000 in costs and attorneys’ fees.

Arizona residents who bought the “misleading” Hefty bags can file a complaint for restitution with the Arizona attorney general’s office before Oct. 1.

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