Hefty “Recycling” Bags Settlement — Arizona AG Secures Settlement Over Misleading Bags
Steve Levine | Published: February 25, 2026
Deadline: October 1, 2026
Total Settlement: $212,000
Proof Required: No (but helpful)
If you purchased Hefty “Recycling” bags or Hefty transparent blue or clear bags in Arizona, you may be eligible for restitution from a settlement between the Arizona Attorney General and Reynolds Consumer Products. The lawsuit alleged that Hefty’s packaging misleadingly implied the bags could be used for curbside recycling when, in reality, the bags are not recyclable in Arizona and could cause recyclable materials placed inside them to end up in a landfill.
Arizona consumers should file a consumer complaint before October 1, 2026 to be considered for restitution. No proof of purchase is required, but including supporting documentation may strengthen your complaint. This applies to purchases made in Arizona — even if you have since moved out of the state.
Reynolds denies it violated any law and entered the consent judgment to settle the claims without any admission of guilt or wrongdoing.
Who Qualifies for the Hefty Recycling Bags Restitution?
Arizona consumers who purchased any of the following Hefty products qualify:• Hefty bags labeled “Recycling” (sold from 2019 through 2024 in 13-gallon and 30-gallon sizes)
• Hefty transparent blue bags
• Hefty transparent clear bags
The settlement was brought under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, so eligibility is based on purchases made in Arizona. If you bought these bags in Arizona through retailers, grocery stores, or online and had them shipped to an Arizona address, you are eligible to file a complaint — even if you have since moved to another state.
This is not a traditional class action with automatic membership. You must file a consumer complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to be considered for restitution.
How Much Money Will I Get from the Hefty Settlement?
The total consumer restitution fund is $30,000. The Arizona Attorney General has sole discretion over how and when restitution funds are distributed and the eligibility of any consumer to receive restitution.The actual amount per person will depend on how many Arizona consumers file valid complaints. Any portion of the restitution not distributed to eligible consumers will be deposited into the Arizona Consumer Protection fund.
In addition to the $30,000 restitution fund, Reynolds is paying $157,000 to the State of Arizona and $25,000 in attorney fees and costs, for a total settlement of $212,000.
What Is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when a company makes misleading claims about the environmental benefits of its products. In this case, the Arizona AG alleged that Hefty’s “Recycling” bags packaging — including the word “Recycling,” images of bags filled with recyclable bottles and cans, and phrases like “reduce your environmental impact” and “avoid the landfill” — implied the bags could be used for general curbside recycling. In reality, the bags themselves are not recyclable in Arizona’s municipal recycling programs and could actually cause recyclable contents placed inside them to be diverted to a landfill. The bags could also become entangled in recycling facility equipment, forcing shutdowns.How to File a Complaint for the Hefty Bags Settlement
File a consumer complaint online through the Arizona Attorney General’s consumer complaint portal at consumer-complaint.azag.gov. You must file before October 1, 2026 to be considered for restitution.No proof of purchase is explicitly required. However, the AG’s office has sole discretion over eligibility, so attaching any supporting documents — such as receipts, photos of the bags or packaging, or order confirmations — may help your complaint.
You can also download and mail a paper complaint form. Mail to: 2005 N Central Ave, Attn: Consumer Information and Complaints, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Or fax to (602) 542-4579.
When filing, reference the Hefty Recycling Bags / Reynolds Consumer Products settlement and describe your purchase of Hefty Recycling, blue, or clear bags in Arizona.
What Was the Hefty Recycling Bags Lawsuit About?
The Arizona Attorney General filed a complaint in August 2025 alleging that Reynolds Consumer Products violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act by selling Hefty transparent blue and clear bags labeled “Recycling” with packaging that implied the bags could be used for general curbside recycling.The original packaging (2019–2022) prominently featured the word “RECYCLING,” images of bags filled with recyclable bottles and cans, and claims like “perfect for all your recycling needs,” “designed to handle all types of recyclables,” and “reduce your environmental impact.”
After lawsuits from the Connecticut and Minnesota Attorneys General, Reynolds redesigned the packaging twice but continued to use misleading imagery. The Arizona AG alleged that even after removing the word “Recycling” in 2024, the packaging still showed bags filled with recyclable contents next to curbside collection bins, implying the bags were suitable for recycling.
Reynolds denies all allegations and entered the consent judgment without any admission of guilt or wrongdoing.
What Changes Is Hefty Required to Make?
Under the consent judgment, Reynolds must:• Permanently stop selling bags labeled “Recycling” under the Hefty brand in Arizona unless the bags are actually accepted at a substantial majority of Arizona recycling facilities
• Redesign packaging nationwide to remove images of recyclable contents from the bags
• Clearly state on the front of the packaging: “These Bags Are Not Recyclable”
• Include language on its website educating consumers about the limited availability of bagged recyclable pickup
• Follow all applicable FTC Green Guides related to environmental marketing claims
Reynolds estimates the nationwide packaging redesign will cost at least $80,000 and take approximately 18 months to implement.
Hefty Recycling Bags Settlement: Key Dates
Consent Judgment Entered: February 13, 2026Complaint Deadline for Restitution: October 1, 2026
Restitution will be distributed at the sole discretion of the Arizona Attorney General after complaints are reviewed.
Hefty Recycling Bags Settlement: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need proof of purchase to file a complaint?
No proof of purchase is explicitly required. However, the Arizona Attorney General has sole discretion over who receives restitution. Attaching supporting documents like receipts, photos of the bags, or order confirmations may help your complaint.I moved out of Arizona. Can I still file?
If you purchased Hefty Recycling bags, blue bags, or clear bags while living in Arizona, you should still file a complaint. Eligibility is based on where the purchase was made (Arizona), not your current address. The Arizona Consumer Fraud Act covers transactions that took place in Arizona.Is this a class action settlement?
No. This is a consent judgment between the Arizona Attorney General and Reynolds Consumer Products under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. There is no claims administrator or traditional class action claim form. Instead, consumers file a complaint directly through the Arizona AG’s consumer complaint portal.How much restitution will I receive?
The total restitution fund is $30,000. The actual per-person amount depends on how many consumers file valid complaints. The Arizona AG has sole discretion over how the funds are distributed.What specific Hefty products are covered?
Hefty bags labeled “Recycling” in 13-gallon and 30-gallon sizes (sold from 2019 onward), Hefty transparent blue bags, and Hefty transparent clear bags — all sold in Arizona through retail stores, grocery stores, or online.Have other states settled with Reynolds over Hefty Recycling bags?
Yes. Connecticut and Minnesota have previously brought lawsuits or reached settlements with Reynolds over similar misleading recycling claims. However, the Arizona settlement is the first to require Reynolds to remove images of recyclable contents from the bag packaging and explicitly state on the front of the packaging that the bags are not recyclable. This redesign will be implemented nationwide.Are the Hefty bags themselves recyclable?
No. The Hefty transparent blue and clear bags are not recyclable in Arizona’s municipal recycling programs or material recovery facilities. Placing recyclable materials inside these bags for curbside pickup can actually cause the entire bag — including the recyclable contents — to be sent to a landfill. The bags can also become entangled in recycling facility equipment.File Complaint
Consent Judgment
Sources
• Arizona Attorney General’s Office — Press Release (February 23, 2026)• Consent Judgment: State of Arizona v. Reynolds Consumer Products, Case No. CV2025-029649
Case Details
Case: State of Arizona v. Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. and Reynolds Consumer Products, LLC, Case No. CV2025-029649Court: Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County
Judge: Hon. Jennifer Ryan-Touhill
Consumer Restitution: $30,000
State Payment: $157,000
Attorney Fees and Costs: $25,000
Total Settlement: $212,000
Complaint Portal: Arizona AG Consumer Complaint
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Submit Claim| Settlement Summary | |
| Status | Open — File Consumer Complaint |
|---|---|
| Complaint Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Consumer Restitution | $30,000 |
| Total Settlement | $212,000 |
| Proof Required | No (but helpful) |
| Who Qualifies | Arizona consumers who purchased Hefty Recycling, blue, or clear bags |
| Type | AG Consent Judgment (not a class action) |
| Case | AZ v. Reynolds Consumer Products, CV2025-029649 |
| Court | Maricopa County Superior Court |
| Nationwide Packaging Change | Yes — “These Bags Are Not Recyclable” required on front |
| File Complaint | Arizona Reynolds Hefty Bag Settlement Claim Form |