Los Angeles County Sues Coca-Cola and Pepsi Over Plastic Bottles

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Facts

  • Los Angeles County announced this week that it's taking on the world's two biggest drink manufacturers — Coca-Cola and Pepsi — over their alleged role in plastic pollution and its negative impact on the environment.[1]
  • In a suit filed on Wednesday, the county also accused the firms of misleading the public about the recyclability of their plastic bottles.[2]
  • It alleged that both companies promised to create a 'circular economy' for their bottles — meaning they can be recycled an endless number of times — but in reality, the county insisted, they could only be recycled once, if at all.[2]
  • Break Free From Plastic reports that Coke and Pepsi have taken the lead as the world's top plastic polluters for five straight years. LA County chair Lindsey Horvath said in a statement, 'Los Angeles County will continue to address the serious environmental impacts caused by companies engaging in misleading and unfair business practices.'[3]
  • Responding on behalf of both companies, the American Beverage Association rejected the allegations as 'simply not true,' adding that California had one of the highest bottle recycling rates in the country.[4]
  • 'Our bottles are designed to be recycled and remade and can include up to 100% recycled plastic,' spokesman William Dermody Jr. said. 'America's beverage companies are proud of our leadership in California, and across the country, and will continue our partnership with the Golden State to get every bottle back.'[4]

Sources: [1]Los Angeles Times, [2]Associated Press, [3]LA County and [4]NewsNation.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by LA County. For too long, beverage companies have been responsible for polluting our communities with plastics that cannot be recycled, failing to take responsibility for the impacts on humans and the environment. This lawsuit ensures they will be held accountable.
  • Narrative B, as provided by NewsNation. These allegations are simply not true. Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi designed bottles that are made to be recycled and can include up to 100% recycled plastic. The companies will continue to push forward with further recycling efforts.