The New York state is now suing PepsiCo Inc.-the world's second biggest food company-because of the plastic pollution along Buffalo River.
The new lawsuit claims that the American food-and-beverage firm is responsible for the plastic pollution, specifically blaming the company's single-use plastic packaging.
New York Attorney-General Letitia James confirmed the legal action against PepsiCo on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
New York Sues PepsiCo, Blaming Company for Buffalo River's Plastic Pollution
A photograph shows the logo of US multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation PepsiCo at the company's plant in Domodedovo, outside Moscow, on March 9, 2022. - Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are suspending business in Russia, the soft drink giants announced on March 9, 2022.
According to BBC News' latest report, Nestle, Danone, and Coca-Cola faced allegations, claiming that their plastic bottles misled consumers.
Now, PepsiCo joins them as the latest food company accused of "greenwashing"; a business practice involving making unsubstantiated claims to deceive consumers that their products are eco-friendly.
"No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health," explained Letitia James via CBS News.
The NY attorney-general said that when her office conducted a survey along the Buffalo River in 2022, they discovered that among the waste polluting the river is PepsiCo Inc.'s single-use plastic packaging; claiming that it's the most significant waste along the Buffalo River.
"Of the 1,916 pieces of plastic trash collected with an identifiable brand, over 17 percent were produced by PepsiCo," added James.
Aside from the river's water, the Office of he Attorney General also found microplastics in fish species inhabiting the Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. The lawsuit further stated that PepsiCo's microplastics even pollute the river's drinking water supply.
Ever since it started using single-use plastic containers, PepsiCo has been making claims that this product has helped it reduce plastic and have more effective recycling methods.
However, based on the attorney general's office, that is not the case at all.
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About NY's Lawsuit Against PepsiCo
View of the Thompson Island pool December 7, 2001 on the Upper Hudson River, NY. The EPA designated this area a PCB "hot spot", and it is slated for dredging. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Todd Whitman announced this week that the agency would move forward with a nearly $500 million dredging plan.
The new lawsuit filed by the New York State urges PepsiCo Inc. to stop selling and distributing any of its products in the Buffalo region.
It explained that the American food-and-beverage company should not do this if it will not warn consumers about the potential health and environmental risks its products could pose.
The lawsuit also requires PepsiCo to develop a plan to effectively reduce the amount of its single-use plastic packaging polluting the Buffalo River.
If you want to learn more details about NY's new lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc., you can click this link.
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