Latest news with #PlasticPollutionCoalition
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepsiCo hit with lawsuit over allegedly misleading its customers: 'False and deceptive'
A nonprofit organization has taken legal action against one of the world's largest food and beverage corporations for "false and deceptive marketing." The Plastic Pollution Coalition announced it filed the complaint against PepsiCo in the District of Columbia Superior Court earlier this month. It's the latest in a string of lawsuits involving corporations and potentially misleading claims about environmental practices — also known as greenwashing. In the complaint, PPC said PepsiCo falsely stated that the packaging for Aquafina water does not contain BPA. However, the nonprofit said test results revealed the harmful chemical is in fact included in the plastic. PPC also said PepsiCo's website uses misleading language about the corporation's dedication to sustainability despite practices that suggest otherwise. Julia Cohen, the co-founder and managing director of PPC, called the marketing tactics deceptive and manipulative. "The facts are: Plastic pollutes water and our bodies, plastic is unhealthy for people and the planet, and recycling cannot solve the plastic pollution crisis that the corporations producing bottled water helped create," Cohen said. Recycling plastic properly does benefit the environment by keeping trash out of landfills. However, rapid plastic production slows down progress. According to a report, the bottled water industry was responsible for about 25 million tons of plastic waste in 2021. A study revealed that 56 companies account for about half of the world's plastic pollution, which can pose threats to both human health and the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, plastic pollution can take hundreds of years to decompose. PepsiCo was one of the top global plastic polluters in 2023, per the Global Brand Audit. In fact, the report found that PepsiCo had more branded plastic waste items than the Coca-Cola Company for the first time. Despite some harmful environmental practices, PepsiCo does have initiatives in place to push for a more sustainable future. The corporation announced plans last year to explore regenerative agriculture with more than $6 million in grants. PepsiCo also said all its beverages will be sold in reusable packaging by 2030. PepsiCo isn't the only corporation to use greenwashing as a marketing tactic. According to a survey, nearly 60% of global companies admit to doing so. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Officials are cracking down on greenwashing overseas. Earlier this year, the Italian Competition Authority fined three transport companies for influencing customers with false claims about sustainable practices. For consumers, there are ways to spot greenwashing early. Experts have revealed some "greenwashing flags" to look out for while shopping. Additionally, sustainability and climate brands can provide trusted information about which companies might be deceiving customers. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bottled water giant slapped with lawsuit over 'false and deceptive' ads: 'Consumers deserve the truth'
Fiji Water was sued in the District of Columbia for its marketing tactics. On Jan. 31, the Plastic Pollution Coalition alleged that the industry giant violated the district's Consumer Protection Procedures Act with "false and deceptive marketing," according to a news release. "The Wonderful Company, LLC and Fiji Water, LLC promote Fiji Water as 'natural artesian water,' 'protected from external elements,' and 'untouched,' despite test results revealing that these products contain health-harming microplastics and plastic chemical bisphenol-A, and the companies' roles in creating plastic pollution," the nonprofit stated. The lawsuit also argued that Fiji's claim to support a circular economy is false, as the business inherently creates plastic pollution. It asked for a ruling that declares the advertisements unlawful and an injunction to halt the practice. "Marketing bottled water in ways that portray it as healthy, safe, and sustainable is misleading to consumers," Plastic Pollution Coalition co-founder and managing director Julia Cohen said. "… There is nothing natural about plastic." Earth Island Institute general counsel Scott Hochberg added: "Truth in advertising matters. Microplastics and BPA are neither natural nor healthy, and consumers deserve the truth about the products they consume. We will continue to hold companies like The Wonderful Company and Fiji Water accountable for claims that contradict the true impacts of their products on our health and the environment." The Plastic Pollution Coalition said plastic pollution is creating human health problems, contaminating drinking water and the environment, and perpetuating injustice in low-income communities, rural communities, and communities of color as well as the Global South. The organization, an Earth Island Institute project, pointed out that microplastics have been linked to fertility problems, heart attacks, strokes, neurodegenerative disorders, death, and more. "BPA and other bisphenols, which are added to plastics to increase their rigidity, are known to disrupt the human endocrine (hormone) systems and have been identified as among the most concerning of the more than 16,000 chemicals that are added to plastics," it stated. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The lawsuit is one way to address the problem of plastic pollution in addition to the false promise of plastic recycling, which the group said was another tactic used by Fiji. The company touts reducing plastic waste, using recycled material, and 100% recycled plastic packaging; the release stated that "plastic is not designed to be recycled" and is usually never recycled but instead sent to landfills, burned, or shipped overseas, meaning more plastic has to be produced and driving the cycle of pollution and environmental injustice. Fiji is also owned by the Resnick family, which has been in the headlines often for owning 57% of the rights to the Kern Water Bank, a water reserve near Los Angeles that contains nearly 500 billion gallons of water. There have been talks about a global plastic pollution treaty, though stakeholders can't agree on how to move forward. Other methods to combat the problem include litter booms and scientific developments that break down plastics. Individuals can help by using less plastic: switch to a reusable water bottle, turn to reusable grocery bags, and invest in a set of glass food containers. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
