Who gains from saving nature
Ledger 1 : 33 — For each dollar financing nature-based solutions in 2023, about $33 financed activities harmful to nature. (UNEP)
Cases / Lobbying, PR and greenwashing · United States · 2013–2017

Walmart and New Zealand penalised over 'biodegradable' bag claims

Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.

Nature's voice · report
No measurement of the harm done to me here is on record.
Did nature suffer? Not measured.
Not on record
  • The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
What the record lacks: 2 none on record · 1 not measured · 1 unclear See the gaps

New Zealand's Commerce Commission imposed penalties in 2013 for misleading green claims on plastic bags, and California penalised Walmart USD 875,000 in 2017 over a 'biodegradable' claim. At stake for nature is whether green labels on single-use bags are accurate.

What?
New Zealand and California penalised 'biodegradable' and green claims on plastic bags, with California imposing USD 875,000 on Walmart in 2017. New Zealand Commerce Commission
Where?
New Zealand (2013) and California, United States (2017). New Zealand Commerce Commission
When?
2013 (New Zealand penalties); 2017 (California penalty). New Zealand Commerce Commission
Who?
Gained
None on record
Lost
Harmed
None on record
Why?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
How?
Penalties for 'biodegradable' or other green claims made on plastic bags. Green Building Advisor
6 of 6 questions answered from the record

What happened

The record, in order.

New Zealand's Commerce Commission imposed penalties of NZD 30,000 in 2013 for misleading green claims on plastic bags, according to its 2013 news item.

California imposed a USD 875,000 penalty on Walmart in 2017 over a 'biodegradable' claim, according to Green Building Advisor.

A 2019 National Geographic report said biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable bags buried in soil and sea for three years could still carry shopping.

    In court and with insurers

    Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.

    Lawsuits and rulings

    No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.

    Insurers

    No insurer decision on record.

    What we don't know

    Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.

    Nature

    • Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.

    Record

    • None on record The recipients of the 2013 New Zealand penalties are not named in the sources reviewed.
    • Unclear Whether the Walmart penalty was appealed, and the exact wording of the bag claim, are not stated in the sources reviewed.
    • None on record Who gained from the sale of the bags is not stated in the sources reviewed.

    Did the harm stop?

    Not stated in the sources reviewed.

    Who paid?

    Not stated in the sources reviewed.

    Sources

    Voices on record: — Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society— Researchers

    Press and investigations

    1. Misleading green claims on plastic bags: COP fines
      New Zealand Commerce Commission · 2013
    2. Walmart fined in case over green claims
      Green Building Advisor · 2017

    Connected cases

    Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.
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