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 Claims/Allegations
(Outcome) |
|---|---|
| Ziploc and Bimbo bread bags
(Sept. 2025/municipal) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| BioSoft Earplugs
(Sept. 2025/private) |
Eco-friendly, sustainable, bio-based, reduced carbon emissions, recyclable
(Pending) |
| V8 Plus Energy Drinks
(Sept. 2025/class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
| Nestlé Poland’s bottled water brand Nałęczowianka
(Sept. 2025/foreign environmental group) |
Recyclable, made of recycled plastic
(Pending) |
| Reynolds Blue, Clear and Recycling Bags
(Aug. 2025/state) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| Almay Makeup Remover Towelettes and Pads
(July 2025/class action) |
Biodegradable
(Pending) |
| WaterWipes Baby Wipes
(June 2025/class action) |
Plastic-free
(Pending) |
| Boxed Water
(May 2025/NAD) |
Recyclable, plant-based, made from renewable materials, sustainable,
(Company agreed to make recommended advertising changes) |
| Igloo
(May 2025/class action) |
Biodegradable
(Pending) |
| Vuse Vape Devices
(May 2025/class action) |
Carbon Neutral
(Pending) |
| BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell, Aloha Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Woodside Energy Hawaii, American Petroleum Institute
(May 2025/state) |
Green, clean, committed to the environment
(Pending) |
| EXPERT Professional Wood Care Stain & Seal
(April 2025/ad alert) |
Eco-friendly
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
| Deutsche Bank’s DWS
(April 2025/foreign regulator) |
Integrates ESG factors into investments
(Company agreed to pay €25 million fine) |
| Wincup
(March 2025/class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| Saatva
(March 2025/class action) |
Eco-friendly
(Pending) |
| Active Super
(March 2025/foreign regulator) |
Eliminated investments that posed risk to the environment
(Company ordered to pay a $10.5 million penalty) |
| Amazon Basics Paper Products
(March 2025/class action) |
Sustainable and mitigates carbon emissions
(Pending) |
| WaterWipes Baby Wipes
(March 2025/class action) |
Plastic free
(Pending) |
| Avocados from Mission Produce, Calavo Growers, and Del Monte
(Feb. 2025/private) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machines
(Feb. 2025/class action) |
Sustainable and eco-friendly
(Pending) |
| Gore-Tex Fabric
(Feb. 2025/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Clif Kid ZBar and ZBar Protein
(Feb. 2025/class action) |
Climate Neutral
(Pending) |
| Apple Watches
(Feb. 2025/class action) |
Carbon Neutral
(Pending) |
| Fresh Wave Cleaning Products
(Feb. 2025/class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
| Chomps Meat Sticks
(Jan. 2025/NAD) |
Carbon neutral and sustainable
(Company agreed to discontinue challenged claims) |
| Charmin toilet paper
(Jan. 2025/class action) |
Protects, grows and restores trees
(Pending) |
| Igloo Coolers
(Jan. 2025/class action) |
Biodegradable and made with recycled plastic materials
(Pending) |
| Apple Watch Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band
(Jan. 2025/class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| 365 Whole Foods Market Flushable Wipes
(Jan. 2025/class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
| Sprouts Tableware
(Jan. 2025/class action) |
Compostable
(Pending) |
2024
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(Outcome) |
|---|---|
| Hershey’s Candy
(Dec./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Duke Energy
(Dec./municipal) |
Failure to disclose the dangers of fossil fuel emissions
(Pending) |
| Plastics from Exxon Mobil, Chevron and others
(Dec./class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| Mission Avocados
(Nov./environmental and food group) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Plastics from Exxon Mobil, Chevron and others
(Nov./municipal) |
Recyclable |
| Invesco Advisers
(Nov./SEC) |
High percentage of ESG-integrated assets
(The company was ordered to pay $17.5 million civil penalty) |
| BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell, Sunoco, American Petroleum Institute
(Nov./state) |
Failure to disclose the dangers of using fossil fuels
(Pending) |
| The Hot Pot Company Feminine Care Products
(Nov./class action) |
Plant-Derived
(Pending) |
| Hershey’s Candy
(Nov./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Earth Rated Dog Wipes
(Nov./class action) |
Plant-Based
(Pending) |
| Hershey’s Candy
(Nov./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Calavo Avocados
(Oct./environmental and food group) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| El Pollo Loco Plastic Products
(Oct./class action) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| BlackRock
(Oct./foreign environmental group) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Bunch O Balloons
(Oct./class action) |
Sustainable and socially conscious
(Pending) |
| Quince
(Oct./Ad Alert) |
Sustainable
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
| Bubble Yum
(Oct./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Hershey’s Candy
(Oct./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Plastic Bottles
(Oct./state) |
Recyclable
(Remanded) |
| Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
(Oct./class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
| Aveeno Makeup Removing Wipes
(Oct./class action) |
Plant-based
(Pending) |
| Plastics from ExxonMobil
(Sept./environmental groups) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| Keurig
(Sept./SEC) |
Recyclable
(The company was ordered to pay a. $1.5 million civil penalty) |
| ExxonMobil’s Plastic Polymers
(Sept./state) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| NUK for Nature Pacifiers
(Sept./class action) |
100% sustainable
(Pending) |
| Tyson Foods
(Sept./environmental group) |
Climate-smart beef and net zero emissions by 2050
(Pending) |
| Del Monte Avocados
(Aug./environmental and food group) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| West Pak Avocados
(Aug./environmental and food group) |
Sustainable
(Company agreed to stop using challenged marketing claims, resulting in the case being voluntarily dismissed) |
| Stellantis
(Aug./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./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Virgin Atlantic
(Aug./ASA) |
100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(Company instructed to include qualifying information regarding the environmental impact of alternative fuel in future ads) |
| Band-Aid
(July/class action) |
Committed to the health of the planet
(Pending) |
| Lululemon
(July/class action) |
Sustainable, minimize environmental impact
(Pending) |
| Gucci
(June/class action) |
Sustainably, humanely, and ethically sourced exotic skins
(Pending) |
| Plastics from PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola and others
(June/municipal) |
Recyclable
(Pending) |
| Crest Toothpaste
(June/Ad Alert) |
Recycle Ready
(TINA.org notified the company of its findings) |
| HoldOn Trash Bags
(May/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/class action) |
Reef-Conscious Formula
(Pending) |
| Equate Sports Sunscreen Spray
(May/class action) |
Reef Friendly
(Pending) |
| Sound Body Sport Sunscreen Spray
(May/class action) |
Reef Conscious
(Pending) |
| Enfamil Infant Formulas
(May/class action) |
Committed to reducing environmental impact
(Pending) |
| MSC Cruise
(April/foreign environmental group) |
Environmentally friendly, clean, and net zero by 2050
(Company told to stop making certain marketing claims) |
| Glad Recycling Bags
(April/class action) |
Recyclable and appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
| Lululemon
(April/foreign regulator) |
Avoid environmental harm, restore a healthy planet
(Pending) |
| Band-Aid
(April/class action) |
Environmentally friendly and committed to the health of the planet
(Pending) |
| Brooklyn Steel Cookware
(April/class action) |
Sustainable and good for the environment
(Pending) |
| Vanguard Investments Australia
(March/foreign regulator) |
Investments are screened to exclude companies that do not meet environmental criteria
(Court ruled claims were misleading) |
| Danish Crown Pork
(March/foreign court) |
Climate-controlled
(Court ruled the phrase was misleading) |
| Glad Recycling Bags
(March/class action) |
Recyclable and appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
| Amyris Clean Beauty
(March/NAD) |
Ethically and sustainably sourced
(Company agreed to make recommended marketing changes) |
| JBS USA Food Company
(Feb./state) |
Net zero emissions by 2040
(Pending) |
| Domino’s Pizza Boxes
(Feb./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./ASA) |
Zero emissions cars
(UK regulator instructed company to remove ad) |
| Oreo Cookies, Clif Bars, Toblerone, and Other Mondelez Products
(Jan./class action) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Hershey’s Organic Chocolate Bars
(Jan./class action) |
Sustainable and ethically sourced
(Pending) |
| Enbridge Gas
(Jan./foreign regulator) |
Clean energy, low carbon
(Pending) |
2023
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(Outcome) |
|---|---|
| Austria Airlines
(2023/foreign 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./foreign 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) |
| Deutsche Bank’s DWS
(Sept./SEC) |
Integrates ESG factors into investments
(Company agreed to cease making misstatements and pay a $19 million penalty) |
| KLM
(Sept./foreign 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/foreign consumer groups) |
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) |
| Hefty and Great Value Recycling Bags
(June/state) |
Recyclable
(Settled) |
| Eurowings
(May/foreign environmental group) |
CO₂-neutral and sustainable
(Court ruled claims were misleading; company’s appeal rejected) |
| Pathways Alliance
(May/foreign 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/foreign 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
(Voluntarily dismissed) |
| Glad Recycling Bags
(Feb./class action) |
Appropriate for recycling
(Pending) |
| Mercer investments
(Feb./foreign 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) |
2022
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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/foreign 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./foreign 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/foreign environmental groups) |
Sustainable
(Pending) |
| Stater Bros. Markets Reusable Plastic Grocery Bags
(June/environmental group) |
Recyclable
(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/foreign 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/foreign 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/foreign regulator) |
Recyclable
(Settled) |
| Whole Foods rice
(Jan./class action) |
Sustainable |
| Oatly oat milk
(Jan./ASA) |
Environmentally friendly
(Company told to remove ad) |
2021
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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./foreign 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 |
| Santos
(Aug./foreign watchdog) |
Clean, net zero emissions
(Pending) |
| Shell
(Aug./foreign 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 |
| Kingsford hardwood briquettes
(Feb./class action) |
Cleaner burn, environmentally friendly |
| Tide purclean laundry detergent
(Jan./class action) |
Plant-based |
2020
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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 |
| Plastics from Crystal Geyser Water, Clorox, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone
(Feb./environmental group) |
Recyclable
(Pending with claims against Procter & Gamble and Nestle settled) |
| 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) |
2019
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(Outcome) |
|---|---|
| BP gas
(2019/foreign 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) |
2018
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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 |
2017
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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) |
2016
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(Outcome) |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen vehicles
(Sept./foreign 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) |
2015
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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) |
2014
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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) |
2013
| Product/Company
(Date/Source) |
Environmental Claims/Allegations
(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) |
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