PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food companies, is being sued by New York State for allegedly contributing significantly to plastic pollution along the Buffalo River.
The lawsuit accuses the company of being the single largest identifiable contributor to the contamination of the water and harm to wildlife.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit, claiming that PepsiCo violated state laws by not informing the public about the risks of plastic packaging and making misleading statements about its efforts to reduce pollution.
The lawsuit further alleges that PepsiCo's single-use plastic packaging was the most significant contributor to the waste collected during a survey along the Buffalo River.
Over 17% of the 1,916 pieces of identifiable plastic trash were produced by PepsiCo, according to the survey. The lawsuit also highlights the presence of microplastics in Buffalo's drinking water supply, which can cause various health issues.
PepsiCo responded by stating their commitment to plastic reduction and recycling, acknowledging the complexity of the issue and the need for collective action from various stakeholders.
New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes criticized PepsiCo's environmental claims, asserting that the company has been increasing rather than decreasing its use of plastics.
The lawsuit is part of a broader movement to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact. It follows similar actions against other major corporations, including Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestle, for misleading claims about their plastic bottles.
PepsiCo now faces scrutiny over its environmental practices and the implications for public health and the environment.
