Walmart and Kohl’s have agreed to pay $5.5 million to end federal allegations that they marketed their rayon-based homewares like sheets and blankets as “eco-friendly” when in fact the bamboo used to make the products was treated with toxic chemicals to be turned to rayon.

In two twin orders for penalties filed in a D.C. federal court Apr. 8, Walmart is ordered to pay $3 million and Kohl’s must pay $2.5 million. 

Both Walmart and Kohl’s were accused of marketing towels, sheets, blankets and dozens of other rayon-based products that claimed to be made from either 100% bamboo or a mixture of bamboo and cotton using “eco-friendly” processes. 

However, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said dozens of the products were actually made of rayon derived from bamboo using a chemical process.

Despite this, the companies marketed the products as having production methods “free of harmful chemicals, using clean, non-toxic materials.”

The process for turning plant cellulose or wood pulp into rayon requires the use of toxic chemicals and produces emissions of hazardous pollutants, the government said in the penalty orders.

Also included in the orders were injunctions preventing Walmart and Kohl’s from continuing to market the rayon-based products as being made of bamboo.

The companies also will not claim bamboo-based products are free of harmful chemicals or have any environmental benefits because the products are derived from bamboo.

Meanwhile, the companies will also be required to improve their recordkeeping and will undergo compliance monitoring.

“False environmental claims harm both consumers and honest businesses, and companies that greenwash can expect to pay a price,” FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said. “Kohl’s and Walmart are paying millions of dollars under the FTC’s Penalty Offense Authority for mislabeling their rayon products as bamboo.” 

The news comes as Walmart is accused of having tricked “unsuspecting” warehouse companies into housing thousands of pallets of an unsellable disinfectant product during the COVID-19 pandemic in a new lawsuit seeking nearly $30 million.

The federal government is represented by Rachael L. Doud of the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch.

The FTC is represented in-house by Miriam Lederer.

What do you think of Walmart and Kohl’s claims about eco-friendly bamboo? Let us know in the comments! 

The Walmart and Kohl’s Bamboo Lawsuits are U.S.A. v. Walmart Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-00965 , and U.S.A. v. Kohl’s Inc. , Case No. 1:22-cv-00964, both in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

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I purchased as gifts and my personal use. Please add me.

I have purchased several sets of these sheets for my daughters and I.

I have two sets in my linen closet. Supposedly they get softer the more you wash. Nope. Still just as stiff as when I removed them from their cardboard backed, clear, plastic, zippered bag packaging.. I still have the zippered bag they came in… You know you reuse them too.

I purchased 4 sets! Please add me

Please add me. I’ve purchased these sheets.

Add me to the list, I purchased some at Walmart

Add us to the list.

Please add me. I bought bamboo sheets

Please add me I have six sets of sheets with pillow cases and two blankets all made with bamboo I bought from Wal-Mart.

Add me, we got a set and pillows… they not all they claim to be…

Add me I purchased 3 separate sets for me my mother and my mother N law

Please add me. I bought several as gifts for family members and myself. I’m starting to wonder if anything companies say are true anymore!!!

Between kohls and walmart I bought 8 pairs, for me, for my sister, as wedding gifts. What a joke. Is anything real anymore or is advertising all just lies.

I brought 2 for my wife and mother, I’m still in the dog house for this gift, never again

Please add me I purchased 2 queen sets at Kohl’s they smelled horrid and were unusable.

Please add me thank you!

I purchased some at Kohls-the bamboo sheets were not as I expected, they also smelled They were not cheap either Please add me

I bought these at Kohls and Walmart. The smell was bad at both stores I purchased them at Please add Me

Poor quality and terrible smell!

I am using the sheets now will stop

It was the smell for me

Its the smell that kills me….

I have purchased this and was so disappointed

I purchased bamboo sheets. Add me please

I purchased queen-sheets last year, made of this “bamboo”. Add me to your lawsuit.

Add.me I bought every one a set of those sheets oh good god

Add me, This is why they got rid of scan the recipients..but not you get a receipt sits in wallet and everything disappeared…tried of buy junk and not being able to retun…

So disappointed by this, I thought this was ok, Sent sets(towels sets and sheets) as wedding gifts twice last year.

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Walmart and Kohl’s have agreed to pay $5.5 million to end federal allegations that they marketed their rayon-based homewares like sheets and blankets as “eco-friendly” when in fact the bamboo used to make the products was treated with toxic chemicals to be turned to rayon.... Read More

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