(FOX40.COM) -- California is suing four plastic-bag makers after falsely claiming their products were recyclable.
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After announcing a settlement with four companies on Friday, State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against three other companies that allegedly prohibit Senate Bill 270. Novolex Holdings LLC, Inteplast Group Corp., and Mettler Packaging LLC are all being taken to court for illegally selling non-recyclable plastic bags in California.
"At the California Department of Justice, we have been unwavering in our commitment to exposing illegal actions at the root of the plastic pollution crisis -- not just the environmental harm, but corporate legal violations driving it," Bonta said.
Bonta previously sued Revolution Sustainable Solutions LLC, Metro Poly Corp., PreZero US Packaging LLC and Advance Polybag, Inc. for the same violation.
After suing the four companies in November 2022, Revolution, Metro Poly, PreZero, and API agreed to halt plastic bag sales in California and collectively pay $1,753,000, which includes $1,115,750 in civil penalties and $636,250 in attorneys' fees and costs.
"Through our investigation, we are bringing to light how powerful companies have broken the law and prioritized profits over our environment," Bonta said. "The consequences of these violations are severe: Billions of plastic carryout bags end up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment instead of being recycled as the bags proclaim. Our legal actions today make it clear: No corporation is above the law."
The Senate bill prohibits manufacturers from selling single-use plastics, which can harm the environment by blocking waterways, polluting ecosystems and harming wildlife. Since plastic does not biodegrade, it breaks down into microplastics that can be found in drinking water, food and the air we breathe.
The seven manufacturers Bonta has investigated have provided billions of plastic bags to California grocery retailers, certifying that the bags meet the bill's requirements. Despite these claims, Bonta reported that the bags are not recyclable.
Bonta claimed that the lawsuit is to enforce California laws and avoid false advertising and misleading environmental marketing laws.