LA County Sues Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Over Recyclability Claims

According to the county’s official release, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have falsely promoted their plastic beverage containers as “recyclable,” despite being aware that these plastics are not easily disposed of without causing environmental harm. The lawsuit further accuses the companies of failing to disclose the substantial environmental and health risks of their plastic packaging.

“The lawsuit alleges that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have misrepresented the environmental impact of plastic beverage containers, claiming that they are ‘recyclable’ despite knowing that plastics cannot be readily disposed of without associated environmental impacts,” the county statement read.

Beyond waste management issues, the lawsuit highlights the significant greenhouse gas emissions from the production of these bottles, which have adversely affected and threatened the health of all county residents. The legal action points out that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo own numerous popular brands, including Coke, Pepsi, Dasani, Smartwater, Fanta, Aquafina, Gatorade, 7-Up, Sprite, Vitamin Water, and Mountain Dew. These companies have been identified as the world’s top plastic polluters for five consecutive years without facing meaningful accountability for their environmental footprint.

The county alleges that PepsiCo and Coca-Cola engaged in a disinformation campaign, leading consumers to believe that recycling single-use plastic bottles can mitigate their environmental impact. The lawsuit claims that these bottles can typically be recycled only once, making the promise of a “circular economy” unattainable.

Los Angeles County is seeking restitution for consumers and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison on behalf of the People of the State of California. Both companies have yet to respond to the allegations, with KTLA reaching out for comments.