Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against Pepsi and Coca-Cola for their alleged misleading claims about the recyclability of their plastic bottles and downplaying the negative environmental and health impacts of plastic disposal.
The lawsuit accused both companies of engaging in “disinformation campaigns” to encourage the purchase of single-use plastic under the pretense that they are recyclable and less harmful to the environment.
The big picture: Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the world’s top plastic polluters for several years, were accused of promising to create a “circular economy” for their plastic bottles when in reality, plastic bottles can only be recycled once, if at all.
- The American Beverage Association, including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, denied the lawsuit’s accusations and stated that their packaging is designed to be recycled and remade, emphasizing California’s 71% bottle recycling rate in 2023.
- The lawsuit highlighted the environmental impact of plastic waste, including the leakage of large amounts of plastic into the environment, the prevalence of microplastics affecting soil, plant growth, marine life, and potential health risks associated with consuming microplastics.
What we’re watching: The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop the companies’ “unfair and deceptive business practices,” restitution for consumers, and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation.
