There Los Angeles County recently started a lawsuit against PepsiCo and Coca-Colaaccusing the companies of contribute significantly to plastic pollution and of deceive consumers about the real recyclability of their containers.
Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on October 30, the lawsuit seeks justice for the environmental damage caused by the single-use plastic used by the two multinationals. The accusations are based on the fact that, despite the sustainability declarations of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, a large part of the plastic bottles produced often end up in landfills or dispersed into the environment.
Los Angeles in particular disputed the companies’ claims regarding the “circularity” of their packagingclaiming that plastic can be recycled at most only onceif any at all, making it difficult to create a truly circular economy.
“They must take responsibility for the environmental damage caused”
The county also pointed out that the production and disposal of plastic not only pollutes the area, but greenhouse gas emissions increasefurther contributing to the climate crisis. “Plastic pollution is a problem that requires urgent action” said Lindsey Horvath, chair of the county Board of Supervisors.
“Coca-Cola and Pepsi they must stop their deceptive practices And take on the responsibility of the environmental damage their products are causing“. The county also asks sanctions for alleged deceptive commercial practices and a measure that forces companies to reduce the use of virgin plastic.
Meanwhile Break Free From Plastic’s 2023 Global Brand Audit report again identified Coca-Cola as the leading plastic polluter in the world for the sixth consecutive yearfollowed by other large companies such as PepsiCo and Nestlé.
According to the data, Coca-Cola produces approximately every year 3.2 million tons of plasticwhile PepsiCo reaches 2.5 million tons. This confirms the enormous contribution of the two multinationals to the accumulation of plastic in the environment.
PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, through the American Beverage Association, responded that the accusations are unfounded and who are making efforts to increase the recycling rate. However, according to the United Nations Environment Organization, less than 10% of plastic produced globally is actually recycled, calling into question the effectiveness of measures taken by companies.
The Los Angeles County lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions taken in the United States – such as that of the state of New York – to address plastic pollution, putting pressure on companies to change their practices to reduce the environmental impact.
