Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against beverage manufacturers PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, accusing them of contributing to plastic pollution in California, the most populous state in the U.S., and misleading the public about the environmental impact and recyclability of their packaging.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that these companies have exacerbated plastic pollution by using single-use plastic bottles, while simultaneously conducting campaigns to assure consumers of their recyclability. It claims that PepsiCo and Coca-Cola persisted in these practices despite knowing that existing recycling efforts are insufficient to mitigate the environmental harm caused by plastic bottles.
The state views the plastic pollution resulting from the products of these two companies as a public nuisance that needs to be addressed. The suit demands that PepsiCo and Coca-Cola pay fines for their unfair and deceptive business practices.
