We are currently investigating a potential consumer fraud related to the mislabeling of supposedly “environmentally friendly” and “compostable” bags sold at Trader Joe’s and other retailers in California. Recent reports have raised serious concerns about the accuracy of claims made by certain manufacturers regarding the compostability of their products.
The Issue with “Compostable” Bags
Statewide, the State of California and many counties are encouraging the recycling of food waste. For the system to work properly, such waste needs to be placed in a waste bin directly or in 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 brand name “Hippo Sak.” These bags, which are sold at Trader Joe’s and other stores, claim to be “compostable” in both 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, was unable to share research or test results. And 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 doesn’t have any valid certificates from their company at the moment. That certification agency recently disclosed “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: Despite manufacturers’ claims, the City of San Diego does not accept these bags in their composting program. The city’s Environmental Services Department states that 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
Consumers purchasing these products with the intention of making an environmentally conscious choice may be misled by inaccurate or exaggerated claims. The discrepancy between the manufacturer’s claims and the reality of how these bags are processed in municipal composting systems may constitute consumer fraud.
We are actively 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 actually use these products in municipal green waste systems.
Please contact our office if:
- You’ve purchased Hippo Sak bags or similar “compostable” products
- You’ve attempted to compost these bags and experienced issues
- You have any other relevant information about these products
Your input is valuable in our efforts to protect consumers and ensure accurate product labeling. Together, we can work towards holding companies accountable for their environmental claims, protecting both consumers and our environment.
Contact Us
If you have purchased 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 crucial to our investigation.