Hefty Recyclable Bags Settlement, Arizona Buyers Can Claim Cash
If you bought Hefty recycling bags in Arizona and put them in your recycling bin — they went straight to a landfill. Reynolds Consumer Products agreed to pay $212,000 to settle Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ allegations that it misleadingly marketed Hefty bags as recyclable, even though Arizona does not accept them for recycling. Arizona residents who purchased these bags before February 23, 2026, can file a complaint to claim their share of a $30,000 restitution fund. The deadline is October 1, 2026.
Quick Facts
| Field | Detail |
| Settlement Amount | $212,000 total ($30,000 consumer restitution fund) |
| Claim Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Who Qualifies | Arizona residents who purchased Hefty “Recycling,” transparent blue, or clear bags before Feb. 23, 2026 |
| Payout Per Person | Pro-rata share of $30,000 — final amount depends on total complaints filed |
| Proof Required | No — but supporting documents may strengthen your complaint |
| Settlement Status | Consent Judgment entered February 13, 2026; pending Maricopa Superior Court approval |
| Administrator | Arizona Attorney General’s Office |
| Official Website | consumer-complaint.azag.gov |
Current Status & What Happens Next
- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes submitted the consent judgment to the Maricopa Superior Court for approval on February 13, 2026, and announced the settlement publicly on February 23, 2026.
- Reynolds must complete a nationwide packaging redesign within approximately 18 months, removing all recyclable imagery and adding the statement “These Bags Are Not Recyclable” to the front of the box.
- The Arizona AG’s office will review all complaints and distribute restitution payments at its sole discretion after the October 1, 2026 deadline passes.
What Are the Hefty Recycling Bags Accused of?
Since at least 2019, Reynolds sold Hefty bags in transparent blue and clear varieties, prominently labeled “RECYCLING.” The packaging showed images of the bags filled with plastic bottles and paper — items consumers recognize as recyclable — alongside a blue recycling truck and a chasing-arrows recycling symbol.
Arizona AG Mayes alleged this was a form of greenwashing — using misleading environmental claims to charge more for a product that provided no environmental benefit. Consumers who genuinely wanted to reduce their environmental footprint paid extra for bags that sent their recyclables to a landfill instead.
The bags created a second problem beyond the landfill: soft plastic bags that entered Arizona Materials Recovery Facilities became entangled in sorting equipment, forcing facilities to shut down entirely. Reynolds denied it violated any law but agreed to the consent judgment to resolve the case.
Who Is Eligible to File a Complaint?
You may qualify if you purchased Hefty bags labeled “Recycling” — sold from 2019 through 2024 in 13-gallon and 30-gallon sizes — in the state of Arizona.
You may qualify if you purchased Hefty transparent blue bags or Hefty transparent clear bags anywhere in Arizona.
You may qualify if you bought these bags through any channel — big box stores, grocery stores, or online retailers — as long as the bags shipped to an Arizona address.
You may qualify if your purchase happened before February 23, 2026 — there is no earlier cutoff date required by the AG’s office.
You may qualify even if you have since moved out of Arizona — eligibility is based on where the purchase was made, not where you currently live.
Note: This settlement covers only Arizona purchases. Connecticut has a separate pending lawsuit against Reynolds over the same bags — those consumers should monitor their own state AG’s announcements.
Arizona is not the only state taking on misleading product labeling. For a related case involving another household brand’s environmental claims, see our coverage of Walmart Spark Driver Pay Settlement — FTC Action and How to Get Paid on AllAboutLawyer.com
How Much Can You Receive?
Reynolds will pay $30,000 into a consumer restitution fund, $157,000 as a payment to the state of Arizona, and $25,000 in costs and attorneys’ fees — totaling $212,000.
Your individual payout is a pro-rata share of that $30,000 fund. That means the more Arizona consumers who file a valid complaint, the smaller each person’s payment becomes. For example, if 3,000 people file, each person would receive approximately $10. If 1,000 people file, each would receive approximately $30.
The Arizona AG’s office holds sole discretion over how the restitution is distributed and which complaints qualify. No specific per-person amount has been guaranteed.
Related article: Weber Recalls 3.2 Million Wire Bristle Grill Brushes Over Serious Ingestion Hazard
How to File a Complaint
Step 1 — Visit the Arizona AG’s official consumer complaint portal at consumer-complaint.azag.gov and start a new complaint.
Step 2 — Enter your personal details, including the Arizona address where you received or purchased the bags.
Step 3 — Describe your purchase of Hefty Recycling, transparent blue, or transparent clear bags and reference the Reynolds Consumer Products / Hefty Recycling Bags settlement in your complaint text.
Step 4 — Attach any supporting documents you have — receipts, photos of the packaging, or online order confirmations. No proof of purchase is strictly required, but documentation may strengthen your complaint.
Step 5 — Alternatively, download a PDF complaint form from azag.gov, complete it, and mail it to: Arizona Attorney General’s Office, 2005 N Central Ave, Attn: Consumer Information and Complaints, Phoenix, AZ 85004. You may also fax it to (602) 542-4579.
Step 6 — Save or screenshot your submitted complaint confirmation. The AG’s office will contact eligible complainants after the October 1, 2026 deadline.
Estimated time to complete: 5–8 minutes
Important Deadlines & Dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Original Lawsuit Filed by AZ AG | August 20, 2025 |
| Consent Judgment Submitted to Court | February 13, 2026 |
| Settlement Announced Publicly | February 23, 2026 |
| Complaints Period Opens | Now — open as of February 23, 2026 |
| Complaint Filing Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Opt-Out Deadline | TBD |
| Objection Deadline | TBD |
| Final Court Approval Hearing | TBD |
| Expected Payment Date | TBD — after Oct. 1, 2026 review by AZ AG |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?
No. You file directly with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office through their free online complaint portal or by mailing a paper form. No attorney is required, and there is no fee to participate. The process takes about five minutes.
Is this settlement legitimate?
Yes. The Arizona Attorney General — a state government office — announced this settlement on February 23, 2026. The case is titled State of Arizona, ex rel. Kris Mayes, Attorney General v. Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. and Reynolds Consumer Products LLC, filed in Maricopa Superior Court. You can verify all details at azag.gov.
When will I receive my payment?
The AZ AG’s office will review complaints after the October 1, 2026 deadline and distribute restitution at its discretion. No specific payment date has been confirmed yet. Check azag.gov for updates after the deadline passes.
What if I missed the claim deadline?
If you file a complaint after October 1, 2026, the AG’s office is not obligated to include you in the restitution distribution. File as early as possible to protect your eligibility.
Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?
Small restitution payments like this are generally considered a refund of the purchase price, not taxable income. However, tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure.
I bought these bags in another state — can I still file?
No. This settlement covers Arizona purchases only. Connecticut’s lawsuit against Reynolds over the same bags remains pending as of March 2026, and residents of other states should watch their own AG’s announcements for separate action.
Why weren’t the bags recyclable if they said “Recycling” on the box?
Hefty bags are made of soft plastic, which Arizona Materials Recovery Facilities cannot process. When these bags enter a recycling facility, they tangle in sorting equipment and force shutdowns — meaning not only are the bags themselves unrecyclable, but the contents inside them end up in a landfill too.
Will Hefty change its packaging everywhere, or just in Arizona?
Reynolds agreed to a nationwide redesign — not just in Arizona. All transparent blue and clear bags will be updated to remove recycling imagery and clearly state “These Bags Are Not Recyclable” on the packaging. The redesign will take approximately 18 months to complete.
Sources & References
- Arizona Attorney General — Official Settlement Announcement: azag.gov
- Arizona Attorney General — Original Lawsuit Filing (Aug. 2025): azag.gov
- Official Complaint Portal: consumer-complaint.azag.gov
- Resource Recycling — Industry Coverage: resource-recycling.com
Last Updated: March 12, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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