Arizona AG reaches Hefty bag false advertising settlement

Arizona residents who purchased Hefty-branded recycling bags or transparent blue or clear bags in the state may be eligible to claim a restitution payment from a settlement. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes submitted the consent judgment to the Maricopa Superior Court for approval on Feb. 13, 2026.

Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. and Reynolds Consumer Products LLC, collectively, Reynolds, agreed to pay $212,000 to resolve allegations that they misleadingly marketed their Hefty recycling bags as recyclable even though Arizona does not accept them for recycling in Arizona. Attorney General Mayes alleged the packaging and marketing of these bags gave consumers the false impression that Arizona's municipal recycling programs could recycle them.

Reynolds sold the bags through a variety of channels, including online retailers, big box stores and grocery stores throughout Arizona.

Who can file a claim for a payment?

Arizona consumers must meet the following criteria to claim restitution:

• They purchased Hefty-branded transparent blue or clear recycling bags in Arizona.
• The purchase was made before Feb. 23, 2026.
• Hefty marketed the bags as suitable for recycling, often with packaging or website language suggesting consumers could use them for curbside recycling or place them in municipal recycling bins.

How much are restitution payments?

Pro rata cash payment: Arizona consumers can submit a claim to receive a pro rata share of the $30,000 fund designated for restitution. The settlement administrator will determine the final payment amount by the total number of complaints filed.

How to claim a settlement payment

To claim a settlement payment, eligible consumers must file a complaint with the Arizona attorney general's office by Oct. 1, 2026. There are two ways to submit a claim:

• Complete the online claim form
• Download and mail the PDF claim form to complete and mail to the Arizona attorney general's office

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Arizona Attorney General's Office, 2005 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Payout options

• Paper check mailed to the address provided

$212,000 settlement fund

The $212,000 settlement fund includes:

• Consumer restitution: $30,000
• Payment to the state: $157,000 deposited into the Consumer Protection-Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund
• Attorneys' fees and costs: $25,000

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 1, 2026

When is the Reynolds Hefty recycling bags settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to qualifying Arizona consumers after it completes complaint review, the court approves the consent judgment and the claim deadline passes.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The Arizona attorney general filed a lawsuit against Reynolds, alleging the company misled consumers by marketing Hefty recycling bags as recyclable when Arizona recycling facilities did not accept them. The complaint stated the packaging and website implied consumers could use the bags for recycling, which could result in cities sending recyclable materials to landfills or operational issues at recycling facilities.

Reynolds denies the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risks of continued litigation. The settlement also requires Reynolds to change its packaging and stop marketing any Hefty bags as recyclable unless a substantial majority of Arizona recycling facilities accepts them.

Sources

1. Arizona attorney general's office press release, Feb. 23, 2026
2. Consent judgment
3. Arizona attorney general's office consumer complaint page