Igloo Falsely Labels Coolers as Biodegradable and Made in USA, Lawsuit Claims

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Igloo misled consumers with false advertising about its products being biodegradable, made with recycled content, and made in the USA.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Igloo products.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Igloo Products Corp. is under fire in a new class action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading consumers with false and deceptive labeling on its popular line of coolers and bags. 

The lawsuit claims that Igloo falsely marketed several products as "biodegradable," made with "recycled content," and "Made in the USA," leading customers to believe the items were more eco-friendly and locally sourced than they actually were.

Igloo Accused of Misleading Consumers with False "Biodegradable" Claims

New York resident Joe Lieber filed the lawsuit after purchasing an Igloo ReCool cooler in late 2024. Lieber said in the lawsuit he was drawn to the product's marketing, which promised that the cooler was made from biodegradable materials and was proudly "Made in the USA." 

Believing the claims, Lieber said he expected the cooler to decompose naturally over time and assumed all its raw materials were sourced from within the United States. When he learned the cooler does not biodegrade in landfills and was made with foreign materials he alleges he was deceived and financially harmed. 

Lawsuit Alleges Igloo Products Contain Non-Recycled Materials Despite "Recycled Content" Labeling

According to the lawsuit, Igloo made unqualified claims about the biodegradability of its ReCool coolers, suggesting they would break down in landfills. However, scientific studies show that landfill conditions are unsuitable for biodegradation, meaning these coolers could remain intact for years, if not decades, according to the lawsuit. 

The Federal Trade Commission has clear guidelines on environmental claims, and the lawsuit argues that Igloo violated these by failing to qualify the biodegradable claims, which the FTC considers deceptive when products fail to decompose within a year under typical disposal conditions.

Igloo also faces accusations regarding its EcoCool and REPREVE cooler bags. The products were marketed as being made entirely from recycled plastic, with statements such as "Made With Post Consumer Recycled Plastic Material." However, only certain parts of the products—like the outer plastic shell—contained recycled material, while significant components such as foam insulation were made from non-recycled materials. The lawsuit claims that Igloo’s lack of transparency violated FTC rules requiring companies to disclose when products are only partially made from recycled content.

Igloo's "Made in the USA" Claims Challenged in Lawsuit

The lawsuit also targets Igloo’s labeling of some of its products as "Made in the USA." The company’s advertising led consumers to believe that these products were entirely manufactured from raw materials sourced in the U.S. In reality, some materials were sourced from outside the country. 

The FTC defines "Made in the USA" claims as deceptive unless nearly all raw materials and significant components are sourced domestically, a requirement Igloo allegedly failed to meet.

Other Companies Face Lawsuits Over Misleading Product Claims

Igloo is not the only company facing legal action for misleading product claims. Companies such as Lowe’s, Kubota, and Lululemon have also been hit with lawsuits for false advertising related to country of origin labeling and sustainability claims.

Lowe’s faced a lawsuit for falsely labeling gloves as "Made in the USA," despite being made overseas. Similarly, other brands like Reynolds and Bigelow Teas have encountered legal challenges for deceptive environmental claims.

In the Igloo cooler false advertising class action lawsuit, Lieber wants to represent consumers from across the country who have been misled by Igloo’s claims. He is suing for violations of New York business laws, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment, and is seeking damages, restitution, injunctive relief, costs, fees, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Lieber v. Igloo Products Corp.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-00488-LKE
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Robert Abiri (Custodio & Dubey, LLP)
• Joshua Nassir, Benjamin Heikali, and Ruhandy Glezakos (Treehouse Law, LLP)

Have you purchased Igloo products? What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Share your opinion in the comments below.