Philadelphia Sues S.C. Johnson, Manufacturer of Ziploc Bags, and Bimbo Bakeries, Leading Manufacturer of Bakery Products in the United States, Over Deceptive Plastic Recyclability Claims

The City of Philadelphia, represented by Hausfeld LLP as co-counsel, has filed a lawsuit against S.C. Johnson & Son (manufacturer of Ziploc bags) and Bimbo Bakeries (which sells bakery products in plastic bags and other “plastic film” packaging), alleging that both companies have deceived consumers about the recyclability of their plastic products and packaging. According to the complaint, the companies’ use of standardized recycling labels—such as the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s “How2Recycle” label—for their plastic bags and packaging made of plastic film misleads consumers to believe those materials can be recycled through Philadelphia’s municipal recycling system. In reality, those plastic products and packaging are not accepted by the City’s recycling facilities and overwhelmingly end up going to waste even when consumers attempt to recycle them through private recycling programs.

The City contends that this coordinated campaign of deception—using standardized labels to mislead the public about the recyclability of plastic film products and packaging—has contributed significantly to contamination in Philadelphia’s recycling stream. This contamination reduces efficiency at recycling plants, damages municipal infrastructure, and increases operational costs for taxpayers. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker emphasized that companies labeling non-recyclable products as recyclable are not only breaking the law but also violating public trust and contributing to unnecessary waste.

Through this lawsuit, Philadelphia seeks an injunction requiring Bimbo Bakeries and S.C. Johnson to revise their marketing practices for greater transparency regarding the non-recyclability of their plastic products and packaging. The City is also pursuing civil penalties under its Consumer Protection Ordinance and compensation for costs incurred due to these deceptive practices.

Hausfeld is committed to holding corporations accountable for misleading environmental marketing practices and, through this case, aims to promote transparency and protect both consumers and municipal resources from deceptive business practices.

For more details: Philadelphia Files Lawsuit Against Companies for Deceiving Consumers About the Recyclability of their Plastic Products | Law Department | City of Philadelphia