We are investigating a potential consumer fraud related to mislabeling supposedly “environmentally friendly” and “compostable” consumer bags sold at Trader Joe’s and other retailers in California. Recent reports have raised serious concerns about the accuracy of claims made by particular manufacturers regarding the compostability of their products.
The Issue with “Compostable” Bags
Statewide, the State of California and many other counties are encouraging food waste recycling. For the system to work well, such waste must be placed directly in a waste bin or compostable bags.
A recent investigation in San Diego has shed light on the complexities surrounding compostable bags, particularly those marketed by Crown Poly under the “Hippo Sak” brand name. These bags, sold at Trader Joe’s and other stores, claim to be “compostable” in home and commercial composting systems.
However, several issues have come to light:
- False Certification Claims: While the company claims certifications from U.S. and European organizations, verifying these certifications has proven difficult. The leading authority on compostable packaging in North America, BPI, could not share research or test results. A certification obtained from a European company called TÜV AUSTRIA that verifies whether products break down in the slower, more natural environment recently confirmed that Crown Poly has no valid certificates from their company. That certification agency recently revealed, “We’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) to get in contact with them since February of this year to remove the incorrect claims for their products and website.”
- Municipal Rejection: The City of San Diego does not accept these bags in their composting program despite manufacturers’ claims. The city’s Environmental Services Department states these products “cause contamination and diminish the quality of the finished compost.”
- Breakdown Time: The manufacturer claims their bags degrade in less than 180 days, which is significantly longer than natural organic matter. This extended breakdown time raises questions about the true compostability of the product.
Potential Consumer Fraud
Inaccurate or exaggerated claims may mislead consumers buying these products to make an environmentally conscious choice. The discrepancy between the manufacturer’s claims and the reality of how these bags are processed in municipal composting systems may be consumer fraud.
We are investigating this issue to determine if consumers have been misled by false or misleading claims about the compostability of these bags, particularly in terms of:
- The accuracy of compostability claims
- The validity of certifications cited by the manufacturer
- The ability to use these products in municipal green waste systems.
Contact Us
If you have bought one of these “compostable” bags from Trader Joe’s or another retailer in California, we want to hear from you. Your experience and information could be important to our investigation.
- You’ve bought Hippo Sak bags or similar “compostable” products
- You’ve tried to compost these bags and experienced issues
- Do you have any other relevant information about these products
Your input is valuable in our efforts to protect consumers and ensure correct product labeling. Together, we can work towards holding companies accountable for their environmental claims, protecting both consumers and our environment.
Contact the investigating attorney