PepsiCo sued in the US

Plastic waste polluting water sources is picked up in New York

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW YORK STATE

AFP news agency reported on November 16 that the US state of New York sued PepsiCo in an attempt to accuse the soft drink and snack food company of being partly responsible for plastic waste in the water supply area for New York City.

The civil case, filed in state superior court by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses PepsiCo of contributing to a "public nuisance" in the Buffalo River.

The lawsuit also seeks financial penalties and damages, and requires the company to stop selling single-use plastic products that do not warn about environmental issues.

“Every New Yorker has a fundamental right to clean water, but PepsiCo’s irresponsible packaging and marketing endangers our water supply, the environment, and public health,” James said.

PepsiCo said it was "serious" about reducing plastic and had been transparent about its efforts.

“This is a complex issue and requires the engagement of many stakeholders, including businesses, local governments, waste reduction service providers, community leaders and consumers,” a company spokesperson said.

PepsiCo has been working in New York to address community needs, as well as working effectively with communities across the country, and remains committed to doing so, the spokesperson said.

A survey by Ms. James' office found that PepsiCo's plastic packaging is by far the largest source of plastic waste pollution in the Buffalo River, three times more than the packaging of the next largest polluter, McDonald's.

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The lawsuit claims that the plastic “causes widespread harm to the public and the state of New York,” and points to the presence of microplastics in humans and fish.

Health problems associated with plastics include early puberty in women, reduced sperm counts, changes in reproductive organ function, obesity, changes in sexual behavior and increased incidence of certain cancers, according to the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs noted the company's commitments to take action to reduce plastic pollution, but said PepsiCo had repeatedly failed to deliver on those commitments.

In addition, the lawsuit says PepsiCo has failed to implement meaningful alternatives to single-use plastics in the New York market. By contrast, PepsiCo has announced reusable or returnable glass and plastic programs in international markets including Mexico and Germany, according to the lawsuit.

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