PepsiCo Faces New York Legal Challenge Over Buffalo River Plastic Pollution

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo for its role in polluting the Buffalo River with plastic waste.

[{"selector":"#anim-44d71859-a2db-425d-9df2-c32df8806cfe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-57.098858352550685%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

Over 17% of identifiable plastic trash in the river is linked to PepsiCo, including food wrappers and bottles.

[{"selector":"#anim-2cc55426-e150-43c6-b56c-a5fe33e5cf2b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.668606304519239%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

The lawsuit claims this pollution has contaminated Buffalo's drinking water and poses serious health risks.

[{"selector":"#anim-8eea9fd2-11ad-4daa-a9de-1e24f018540d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.693114959170003%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

PepsiCo's product range includes 85 beverages and 25 snack foods, mostly in single-use plastic containers.

[{"selector":"#anim-215539f4-ae4a-41c0-b3c8-509a3d477c62 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.60639622684769%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

Investigations reveal high levels of microplastics in the river, sourced from PepsiCo's packaging.

[{"selector":"#anim-1a41bfb7-0a69-41a9-b741-beb6b074dae1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-2.0797659686431746%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera emphasizes PepsiCo's responsibility in environmental cleanup.

[{"selector":"#anim-b83c7996-95df-4a4d-b29f-c2342862cc37 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.677734099701674%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

The lawsuit alleges that PepsiCo's environmental promises have fallen short, especially in New York.

[{"selector":"#anim-7d628779-3d62-4db3-a622-377db5ef90f4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.116647998165204%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown and Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz express support for the lawsuit.

[{"selector":"#anim-e04dce81-2f30-496a-94eb-bba8fbb1f330 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.34365593052628%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google

The lawsuit aims to stop PepsiCo's use of harmful single-use plastics and seeks financial restitution for environmental damage.

[{"selector":"#anim-44c3d37e-1867-4aeb-be47-b75cadbcdcd9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.78310904511633%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo source- Google