Mercedes Accused of Greenwashing with ‘Nature or Nothing’ Ads
Automaker’s environmental record speaks for itself.
A majority of U.S. consumers prefer environmentally friendly products, and are even willing to pay more for them. As a result, many companies have claimed their products benefit the environment, but frequently — according to various sources — that turns out not to be true.
This is called greenwashing, i.e., claiming something is better for the environment than it actually is.
Here’s a roundup of companies that have been accused of greenwashing in class-action and private lawsuits and by various regulatory entities, including municipal, state, federal and international regulators, and self-regulatory bodies, as well as watchdog groups, and, of course, TINA.org.
(Note: NAD is the National Advertising Division, the ad industry’s self-regulatory body in the U.S., ASA refers to the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority and FTC is the U.S. consumer protection agency.)
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Bubble Yum
(Oct. 2024/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Hershey’s Candy
(Oct. 2024/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Plastic Bottles
(Oct. 2024/state) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
(Oct. 2024/class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
Aveeno Makeup Removing Wipes
(Oct. 2024/class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
ExxonMobil’s Plastic Polymers
(Sept. 2024/ state) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
NUK for Nature Pacifiers
(Sept. 2024/class action) |
100% sustainable
(Pending) |
Tyson Foods
(Sept. 2024/environmental group) |
Climate-smart beef and net zero emissions by 2050
(Pending) |
Stellantis
(Aug. 2024/class action filed in Europe) |
Failure to disclose software in vehicles covers up emissions
(Pending) |
Oreo cookie, Toblerone, Cote D’Or, and other Mondelez products
(Aug. 2024/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Virgin Atlantic
(Aug. 2024/ASA) |
100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(Company instructed to include qualifying information regarding the environmental impact of alternative fuel in future ads) |
Band-Aid
(July 2024/class action) |
Committed to the health of the planet
(Pending) |
Lululemon
(July 2024/class action) |
Sustainable, minimize environmental impact
(Pending) |
Gucci
(June 2024/class action) |
Sustainably, humanely, and ethically sourced exotic skins
(Pending) |
Crest Toothpaste
(June 2024/Ad Alert) |
Recycle Ready
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
HoldOn Trash Bags
(May 2024/NAD) |
100% compostable and planet-friendly
(Company agreed to make recommended marketing changes but certain marketing changes were not made until after TINA.org reached out to the company) |
Up & Up Sports Sunscreen Spray
(May 2024/class action) |
Reef-Conscious Formula
(Pending) |
Equate Sports Sunscreen Spray
(May 2024/class action) |
Reef Friendly
(Pending) |
Sound Body Sport Sunscreen Spray
(May 2024/class action) |
Reef Conscious
(Pending) |
Enfamil Infant Formulas
(May 2024/class action) |
Committed to reducing environmental impact
(Pending) |
MSC Cruise
(April 2024/international environmental group) |
Environmentally friendly, clean, and net zero by 2050
(Company told to stop making certain marketing claims) |
Glad Recycling Bags
(April 2024/class action) |
Recyclable and appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
Lululemon
(April 2024/international regulator) |
Avoid environmental harm, restore a healthy planet
(Pending) |
Band-Aid
(April 2024/class action) |
Environmentally friendly and committed to the health of the planet
(Pending) |
Brooklyn Steel Cookware
(April 2024/class action) |
Sustainable and good for the environment
(Pending) |
Vanguard Investments Australia
(March 2024/international) |
Investments are screened to exclude companies that do not meet environmental criteria
(Court ruled claims were misleading) |
Danish Crown Pork
(March 2024/international) |
Climate-controlled
(Court ruled the phrase was misleading) |
Glad Recycling Bags
(March 2024/class action) |
Recyclable and appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
Amyris Clean Beauty
(March 2024/NAD) |
Ethically and sustainably sourced
(Company agreed to make recommended marketing changes) |
JBS USA Food Company
(Feb. 2024/state) |
Net zero emissions by 2040
(Pending) |
Domino’s Pizza Boxes
(Feb. 2024/ad alert) |
Recyclable
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings that pizza boxes aren’t typically getting recycled in reality) |
BMW Electric Vehicles
(Feb. 2024/ASA) |
Zero emissions cars
(UK regulator instructed company to remove ad) |
Oreo Cookies, Clif Bars, Toblerone, and Other Mondelez Products
(Jan. 2024/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Hershey’s Organic Chocolate Bars
(Jan. 2024/class action) |
Sustainable and ethically sourced
(Pending) |
Enbridge Gas
(Jan. 2024/international regulator) |
Clean energy, low carbon (Pending) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Austria Airlines
(2023/international regulator) |
Sustainable Aviation Fuel and CO2 Neutral
(Company told to post a corrective statement on its website and social media channels) |
Glad Recycling Bags
(Dec./class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
Unilever
(Dec./international regulator) |
Environmentally friendly
(Pending) |
Etihad Airways
(Dec./ASA) |
Environmental advocacy
(Company told to not make misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding the environmental impact of flying with the airline) |
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
(Dec./ASA) |
Fly more sustainably
(Company told to not make misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding the environmental impact of flying with the airline) |
Air France
(Dec./ASA) |
Committed to protecting the environment and to allowing consumers to travel sustainably
(Company told to not make misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding the environmental impact of flying with the airline) |
CleanChoice Energy
(Nov./classs action) |
Clean, pollution-free, and from renewable sources
(Pending) |
Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Spray
(Nov./class action) |
Reef friendly
(Pending) |
Made In Cookware (MIC) Non-Stick Cookware
(Nov./class action) |
Non-toxic and PFOA-free
(Pending) |
United Airlines
(Nov./class-action) |
Sustainable fuel, 100% green and carbon neutral by 2050
(Pending) |
PepsiCo and Frito-Lay
(Nov./state) |
Promoting a circular economy for plastic resins and plastic waste reduction plan |
H&M
(Nov./class action) |
Made with recycled and/or organic materials
(Pending) |
Royal Dutch Airlines
(Nov./class action) |
Sustainable fuel and carbon offsets
(Pending) |
equate sunscreens
(Nov./class action) |
Reef Friendly
(Pending) |
The Period Co.
(Nov./class-action) |
Waste-free, non-toxic, sustainable, “kind to the … Planet”
(Pending) |
Renpure hair care products
(Oct./class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
KLM
(Sept./international environmental group) |
Sustainable and carbon offsets
(Court ruled the airline’s ads were misleading and illegal) |
Colgate and Tom’s of Maine
(Sept./TINA.org complaint to FTC, CT/CA regulators) |
Recyclable
(TINA.org found toothpaste tubes deceptively marketed as “recyclable” despite not being recycled in reality) |
Exxon, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP, American Petroleum
(Sept./state) |
Green, clean, environmentally friendly, contribute to finding climate change solutions
(Pending) |
Lumen securities
(Sept./class action) |
Benefit the environment
(Pending) |
Knix
(Sept./class action) |
Free of PFAS
(Settled) |
Colgate and Tom’s of Maine
(Aug./class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
(Aug./class action) |
Sustainable and earth friendly
(Pending) |
Slashop
(Aug./class action) |
Eco-friendly
(Pending) |
Target
(Aug./class action) |
Clean
(Pending) |
Verizon securities
(Aug./class action) |
Committed to protecting the environment
(Pending) |
Hefty and Great Value Recycling Bags
(July/class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Settled) |
AT&T securities
(July/class action) |
Committed to protecting the environment
(Pending) |
Etsy
(July/class action) |
Carbon offsets |
17 European Airlines
(June/international) |
Sustainable, green, carbon offsets, and Sustainable Aviation Fuels
(Pending) |
HexClad Cookware
(June/class action) |
Non-toxic
(Pending) |
Berkshire EcoSoft Blanket
(June/class action) |
Environmentally friendly
(Pending) |
Pathways Alliance
(May 2023/international regulator) |
Net zero emissions by 2050
(Pending) |
Delta Air Lines
(May/class action) |
Carbon neutral
(Pending) |
Nike’s Sustainability Collection
(May/class action) |
Made with recycled, organic, and sustainable materials, transitioning to zero carbon and waste
(Dismissed) |
Etihad Airways
(April/ASA) |
Sustainable aviation
(Company told to not exaggerate environmental impact of flying) |
Arm & Hammer Clean Burst laundry detergent
(April/class action) |
Environmentally friendly |
Kohl’s textiles
(April/class action) |
Environmentally friendly |
Walmart textiles
(March/class-action) |
Environmentally friendly |
Lomi countertop composter
(March/ad alert) |
Compostable
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
Gain Aroma Boost laundry detergent
(March/class action) |
Environmentally friendly
(Pending) |
Weiman cleaning products
(March/NAD) |
Non-toxic, eco-friendly
(Company agreed to discontinue challenged claims) |
Mrs. Paul’s and Van De Kamp’s seafood
(March/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Bumble Bee seafood
(March/class action) |
Sustainable |
Great Value and Sam’s Choice seafood
(March/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Toyota vehicles
(March/international environmental group) |
Committed to clean cars
(Pending) |
Lufthansa airline
(March/ASA) |
Protecting the future of the world
(Company told to cease ambiguous and unsubstantiated environmental benefit claims) |
o.b. Organic tampons
(Feb./class action) |
Chemical-free |
Glad Recycling Bags
(Feb./class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
Mercer investments
(Feb./international regulator) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
One Health Certification Foundation
(Feb./NAD) |
Minimizes the impact of animal production on the environment
(Company appealed recommended advertising changes) |
Tampax Pure Cotton tampons
(Feb./class action) |
Chemical-free
(Pending) |
JBS USA Food Company
(Feb./NAD) |
Net zero emissions
(Company appealed recommended advertising changes) |
WaterWipes baby and adult care wipes
(Feb./class action) |
Biodegradable
(Settled and voluntarily dismissed) |
Bellabu Bear
(Jan./class action) |
Environmentally friendly |
Dyper diapers
(Jan./NAD) |
Biodegradable
(Company agreed to make recommended advertising changes) |
BioSteel sports drink
(Jan./class action) |
Clean, eco-friendly
(Pending) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
American Beverage Association’s Every Bottle Back recycling initiative
(Nov./NAD) |
Reduces plastic waste
(Company agreed to make recommended advertising changes) |
H&M clothing
(Nov./class action) |
Sustainable |
WaterWipes baby and adult care wipes
(Nov./class action) |
Biodegradable
(Pending) |
Royal Bank of Canada
(Oct. 2022/international regulator) |
Net zero emissions by 2050
(Pending) |
Hefty “recycling” bags
(Oct./class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Settled) |
Evian Natural Spring Water
(Oct./class action) |
Carbon neutral
(Pending) |
HSBC bank
(Oct./ASA) |
Net zero emissions
(Company told to remove ads) |
Tampax Pure Cotton tampons
(Sept./class action) |
Plant-based, compostable, biodegradable
(Pending) |
Grimmway products, including carrots, juices and protein drinks
(Sept./class action) |
Eco-friendly
(Pending) |
United Airlines’ customer carbon offset program
(Sept./ad alert) |
Carbon offsets
(After TINA.org notified United of its findings, the company removed some of its “offset your flight” claims) |
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ CO2ZERO program
(Sept./class action) |
Carbon offsets |
Aldi tuna
(Aug./class action) |
Dolphin safe
(Settled and voluntarily dismissed) |
The Higg Index
(Aug./ad alert) |
Sustainable
(Under review) |
Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles
(Aug./international sustainability group) |
Environmentally friendly
(Company said it was clarifying the ads) |
ECOS household cleaners and other products
(Aug./class action) |
Non-toxic, earth friendly
(Pending) |
Kirkland albacore tuna
(July/class action) |
Dolphin safe
(Pending) |
H&M clothing
(July/class action) |
Sustainable, conscious
(Pending) |
Hefty “recycling” bags
(July/class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Settled) |
Great Value “recycling” bags
(July/class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Settled) |
KLM airline
(July/international environmental groups) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
SKKN by Kim
(June/ad alert) |
Sustainable
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
Hefty “recycling” bags
(June/state) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
FIFA World Cup
(May/international watchdog) |
Carbon neutral
(FIFA rejected report’s findings) |
Thinx
(May/class action) |
Sustainable
(Settled) |
Walgreens Reusable Plastic Grocery Bags
(April/class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
Gorton’s tilapia
(April/class action) |
Sustainably sourced
(Settled) |
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) waterproof apparel
(April/class action) |
Sustainable |
Transitions2Earth utensils
(April/class action) |
Biodegradable
(Voluntarily dismissed) |
CAVA grain and salad bowls
(April/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Burger King Whopper and French fries
(April/class action) |
Sustainable |
Burt’s Bees cosmetics
(April/class action) |
Safe and responsible sourcing |
Walmart textiles
(April/FTC) |
Eco-friendly, sustainable
(Settled) |
Kohl’s textiles
(April/FTC) |
Eco-friendly, sustainable
(Settled) |
McDonald’s Big Mac and other items
(March/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
TotalEnergies
(March/international environmental groups) |
Carbon neutral
(Pending) |
Chipotle
(March/NAD) |
Sustainable
(Company agreed to make recommended changes) |
Matter disposable plates, bowls and food storage bags
(Feb./class action) |
Compostable
(Pending) |
Simply Gum
(Feb./NAD) |
Biodegradable, better for the planet
(Referred to the FTC) |
Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver
(Feb./NAD) |
Environmentally friendly
(Company agreed to implement recommended changes) |
Earth Rated dog poop bags
(Feb./class action) |
Compostable |
Keurig Canada
(Jan. 2022/international regulator) |
Recyclable
(Settled) |
Whole Foods rice
(Jan./class action) |
Sustainable |
Oatly oat milk
(Jan./ASA) |
Environmentally friendly
(Company told to remove ad) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
ZORBX
(Dec./class action) |
Non-toxic, safe for the planet |
Earth Rated dog poop bags
(Dec./class action) |
Compostable
(Stayed) |
Republic Services Recycling
(Nov./class action) |
Recyclable |
Shell Canada
(Nov./international environmental group) |
Carbon neutral
(Company removed all representations regarding its “Drive Carbon Neutral” program from its Canadian website and app) |
Up & Up sunscreens
(Oct./class action) |
Reef friendly
(Settled) |
7-Eleven
(Oct./class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
Everlane ReNew clothing
(Oct./NAD) |
Environmentally friendly
(Company agreed to make recommended changes) |
Drax Group
(Oct./private) |
Carbon neutral
(Pending) |
Alba Botanica Hawaiian sunscreens
(Oct./class action) |
Reef friendly
(Pending) |
Kroger sunscreens
(Oct./class action) |
Reef friendly
(Dismissed) |
Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens
(Oct./class action) |
Reef friendly |
Quilted Northern
(Sept./NAD) |
Sustainable
(Company agreed to make recommended changes) |
Banana Boat sunscreens
(Sept./class action) |
Reef friendly |
Banana Boat sunscreens
(Sept./class action) |
Reef friendly
(Pending) |
Santos
(Aug./international watchdog) |
Clean, net zero emissions
(Pending) |
Shell
(Aug./international regulator) |
Carbon offsets
(Company lost appeal to withdraw ads) |
Firstgas
(July/ASA) |
Zero carbon gas
(Company told to remove ad) |
Arrowhead, Poland Spring, Niagara, Kirkland and other bottled water brands
(July/class action) |
Recyclable |
Niagara, Kirkland and other bottled water brands
(July/class action) |
Recyclable |
Dasani, Poland Spring and other bottled water brands
(June/class action) |
Recyclable |
Red Lobster seafood
(June/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Allbirds running shoes
(June/class action) |
Low carbon footprint, sustainable |
The Coca-Cola Company
(June/environmental group) |
Sustainable, environmentally friendly
(Dismissed) |
Hefty “recycling” bags
(May/class action) |
Recyclable |
ALDI Atlantic salmon
(May/environmental and food group) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
ALDI Atlantic salmon
(May/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
Earth Rated dog poop bags
(May/ad alert) |
Compostable
(After TINA.org notified Earth Rated of its findings, the company added a disclaimer noting that “[i]ndustrial composting of pet waste is not currently available in the USA”) |
ExxonMobil, Shell and BP gas
(April/municipal) |
Cleaner, reduces emissions
(Pending) |
Kingsford hardwood briquettes
(Feb./class action) |
Cleaner burn, environmentally friendly |
Tide purclean laundry detergent
(Jan./class action) |
Plant-based |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Sunoco, Aloha Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and others
(2020/state) |
Failure to warn of dangers of using fossil fuel
(Pending) |
Repellem and Eco-Friendly trash bags
(Dec./class action) |
Biodegradable, eco-friendly |
Chinet disposable plates and bowls
(Nov./class action) |
Eco-friendly, compostable
(Settled) |
Blueland cleaning products
(Oct./NAD) |
Recyclable
(Company modified its advertising) |
Keurig Green Mountain coffee pods
(Sept./class action) |
Recyclable
(Voluntarily dismissed) |
ExxonMobil
(Sept./state) |
Committed to combating climate change
(Pending) |
Quorn Foods
(Sept./ASA) |
Reduces carbon footprint
(Company told to ensure that the basis of any environmental claims was made clear) |
Tide purclean laundry detergent
(Aug./class action) |
Plant-based |
Tide purclean laundry detergent
(Aug./NAD) |
Plant-based
(Company agreed to modify its advertising) |
Butterball turkey
(Aug./NAD) |
Sustainable
(Company agreed to comply with recommended changes) |
Shell Go+
(July/ASA) |
Carbon neutral
(Company told to remove ad) |
Kroger disposable plates and bowls
(June/class action) |
Compostable
(Settled) |
RegrowAustralia bracelets
(June/ad alert) |
Reforestation (tree-planting
(Company stood by its marketing and business practices in response to an inquiry by TINA.org) |
Cascade Platinum dishwasher detergent
(June/ad alert) |
Saves water
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
Amazon disposable plates and bowls
(June/class action) |
Compostable |
Albertsons, Safeway and Lucerne Foods disposable plates and bowls
(May/class action) |
Compostable
(Settled) |
Simple Green cleaning products
(May/class action) |
Non-toxic
(Settled) |
Krud Kutter cleaning products
(May/class action) |
Non-toxic, earth friendly
(Pending) |
Method household cleaners
(May/class action) |
Non-toxic |
Windex Vinegar window cleaner
(May/class action) |
Non-toxic |
Windex window cleaner
(May/class action) |
Non-toxic |
Ryanair
(Feb./ASA) |
Low emissions
(Company told to remove the ads) |
Treehuggers bracelets
(Feb./ad alert) |
Reforestation (tree-planting)
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
4Amazonia bracelets
(Jan./ad alert) |
Reforestation (tree-planting)
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
BP gas
(2019/international environmental group) |
Cleaner burning, a perfect partner to renewables
(Company withdrew ad campaign) |
GreenPan cookware
(Sept./class action) |
Environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
Tillamook dairy products
(Aug. 2019/class action) |
Better for the environment
(Dismissal affirmed on appeal; Appeal in Oregon Supreme Court pending) |
StarKist tuna
(May/class action) |
Dolphin safe |
Fancy Feast tuna
(May/class action) |
Dolphin safe |
Chicken of the Sea tuna
(May/class action) |
Dolphin safe |
Bumble Bee tuna
(May/class action) |
Dolphin safe |
Nestlé chocolate
(April/class action) |
Sustainably sourced
(Voluntarily dismissed) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Keurig Green Mountain coffee pods
(Sept./class action) |
Recyclable
(Settled) |
Kirkland Signature cleaning products
(May/class action) |
Environmentally responsible, green, non-toxic |
BMW X5 and 355d diesel vehicles
(March/class action) |
Clean, environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
BetterBrew Eco coffee pods
(Jan./class action) |
Compostable
(Remanded to state court) |
Ford F-250 and F-350 diesel vehicles
(Early 2018/class action) |
Clean, environmentally friendly |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
General Motors
(2017/class action) |
Low emissions
(Pending) |
Moonlight Slumber baby mattresses
(Sept./FTC) |
Eco-friendly, plant-based
(Settled) |
Muralo Paints
(July/FTC) |
Emission- and chemical-free
(Settled) |
Benjamin Moore paints
(July/FTC) |
Emission- and chemical-free
(Settled) |
Lullaby and ECOS paints
(July/FTC) |
Emission- and chemical-fee
(Settled) |
YOLO Colorhouse paints
(July/FTC) |
Emission- and chemical-free
(Settled) |
Kauai coffee pods
(May/NAD) |
Compostable
(Company agreed to prominently disclose that coffee pods are not certified for backyard composting) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Volkswagen vehicles
(Sept./international regulator) |
Clean, environmentally friendly |
Chevrolet Cruz
(July/class action) |
Clean diesel |
LEI Eco Alkaline batteries
(March/NAD) |
Carbon neutral
(Referred to the FTC) |
Volkswagen vehicles
(March/FTC) |
Clean diesel, low emission, environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles
(Early 2016/class actions) |
Clean diesel, earth friendly
(Settled) |
Natural American Spirit cigarettes
(2016/class actions) |
Earth friendly
(Pending) |
Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles
(Early 2016/class actions) |
Clean diesel, environmentally friendly
(Pending with some claims settled) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles
(Late 2015/class actions) |
Clean diesel, environmentally friendly
(Pending with some claims settled) |
Nordstrom textiles
(Dec./FTC) |
Environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
J.C. Penney textiles
(Dec./FTC) |
Environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
Bed Bath & Beyond textiles
(Dec./FTC) |
Environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
Backcountry.com textiles
(Dec./FTC) |
Environmentally friendly
(Settled) |
Charmin Freshmates wipes
(April/class action) |
Flushable
(Settled) |
Rainforest Alliance
(April/private) |
Earth friendly
(Settled) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Engineered Plastic Systems plastic lumber
(July/FTC) |
Made of recycled plastics
(Settled) |
American Plastic Lumber
(June/FTC) |
Made of recycled plastics
(Settled) |
Renew Plastics plastic lumber
(Feb./FTC) |
Made of recycled materials, recyclable
(Settled) |
gDiapers diaper systems
(Jan./FTC) |
Biodegradable, compostable, plastic-free
(Settled) |
Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claim(s) at Issue
(Outcome) |
---|---|
Green Foot Global fuel additives
(Nov./FTC) |
Increases fuel economy, reduces emissions
(Settled) |
Champ plastic golf tees
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable
(Settled) |
Enviroplastics International plastic additives
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable
(Company prohibited from making claims at issue; appeal denied) |
Farberware EcoFresh plastic food storage containers
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable
(Settled) |
Carnie Cap plastic rebar cap covers
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable
(Settled) |
American Plastic Manufacturing plastic shopping bags
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable
(Settled) |
Nature’s Own Green Label paper plates
(Oct./FTC) |
Biodegradable, compostable, recyclable
(Settled) |
Relief-Mart mattresses
(July/FTC) |
Chemical-free
(Settled) |
Essentia Natural Memory Foam mattresses
(July/FTC) |
Chemical-free
(Settled) |
EcoBaby Organics mattresses
(July/FTC) |
Chemical-free
(Settled) |
Nest thermostats
(June/NAD) |
Eco-friendly
(Company agreed to make recommended marketing changes) |
Sears and Kmart textiles
(Jan./FTC) |
Eco-friendly
(Settled) |
Macy’s textiles
(Jan./FTC) |
Eco-friendly
(Settled) |
Max Studio textiles
(Jan./FTC) |
Eco-friendly
(Settled) |
Amazon textiles
(Jan./FTC) |
Eco-friendly, sustainable
(Settled) |
Benjamin Moore’s Natura Paint
(Jan./class action) |
Emission- and chemical-free
(Settled) |
Automaker’s environmental record speaks for itself.
How products marketed as “recyclable” end up in landfills.
For decades, brands have been supporting causes — or rather pretending to support causes — to boost sales.