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
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.