The state of New York has filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo, claiming that the company’s products are contributing to plastic pollution in the Buffalo River. The lawsuit, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that PepsiCo’s single-use plastic packaging, such as Gatorade bottles and Cheetos bags, has accumulated in the river, posing a threat to both human health and wildlife.
According to the lawsuit, the plastic pollution from PepsiCo’s products has become a public nuisance, leading to concerns about its impact on the environment and public health. The attorney general’s office also accused the company of misleading the public about its plastic recycling efforts and failing to warn consumers about the risks associated with plastic packaging.
PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has responded to the lawsuit by emphasizing its commitment to plastic reduction and effective recycling. The company stated that it is working with various stakeholders, including businesses, municipalities, waste-reduction providers, community leaders, and consumers to address the issue of plastic pollution.
The lawsuit comes at a time when plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern worldwide. A recent study found that the Earth’s oceans contain more than 170 trillion pieces of plastic, and global efforts are underway to address the issue through a potential treaty to end plastic pollution.
The New York attorney general’s office conducted a survey of plastic waste at 13 sites along the Buffalo River and found that plastic from Pepsi products was the most abundant, representing over 17 percent of the trash collected. Additionally, environmental group Break Free From Plastic has identified PepsiCo as the second biggest plastic polluter globally.
The lawsuit seeks to compel PepsiCo to clean up the plastic pollution in the river, add warning labels to its products sold in the region, and find ways to reduce the amount of packaging that enters the river. Environmental advocates have applauded the legal action, calling it unprecedented and necessary to protect rivers impacted by plastic pollution.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the regulation of plastic packaging and environmental protection efforts, both in New York and beyond.