Home » US business news » PepsiCo sued by New York state over plastic pollution

PepsiCo sued by New York state over plastic pollution

By Nithya Bose in US business news, posted November 16, 2023

New York state has filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo, alleging the company is responsible for plastic pollution along the Buffalo River.

The complaint says PepsiCo caused water contamination and harm to wildlife, making it the largest identifiable contributor.

This legal action follows recent accusations against Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestle for deceptive claims about their plastic bottles.

Ranked as the world’s second-largest food company, PepsiCo and other major corporations are facing lawsuits from local authorities about their environmental impact.

These companies are accused of greenwashing, where they falsely brand products as more eco-friendly, green, or sustainable than they are.

The lawsuit claims the company potentially misled consumers who hope to make environmentally conscious choices.

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Attorney General Letitia James said: "No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health."

A survey along Buffalo River revealed PepsiCo's single-use plastic packaging constituted over 17 percent of identified branded plastic trash.

The lawsuit alleges microplastics, linked to adverse health effects, were found in Buffalo's drinking water supply.

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PepsiCo, the world's second-largest food company, produces many beverage and snack brands in single-use plastic containers.

Pepsi said in a statement that it was "serious about plastic reduction and effective recycling".

It added that this was a "complex issue" which required involvement from "businesses, municipalities, waste-reduction providers, community leaders and consumers".

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