In response to a worsening waste crisis, the Virgin Islands government took a stand against the two iconic brands.
They sued Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in April, according to the Virgin Islands Consortium.
Officials claim that the two well-known companies, as well as their manufacturers and distributors, engaged in deceptive business practices and became public nuisances.
The explosive lawsuit begins with the following: “Due in significant part to Defendants’ conduct in falsely promoting and distributing single-use plastic the Virgin Islands faces a waste management crisis.”
The complaint also alleges that the two companies misled customers about the recyclability of their plastic bottles.
They blamed PepsiCo for the escalating plastic-waste crisis and claimed that they quietly lobbied to weaken environmental protections.
The massive 42-page civil complaint describes how “nearly impossible to fully clear from public areas” plastic pollution has become.
The US territory reported that their two landfills were nearly full.
The government accused the fizzy drink companies of “purposefully manufacturing, bottling, and selling excessive amounts of beverages packaged in single-use plastic bottles without implementing or paying for an environmentally responsible way to dispose of them”.
Despite promises to reduce their use of virgin plastic, the two companies had low levels of recycled plastic sourcing in 2022.
The lawsuit claimed that Coca-Cola’s rate was less than 14%, while PepsiCo’s was only 6%.
It also explained how plastic pollution causes environmental degradation and harms marine life.
They emphasized research on microplastics, which have been linked to cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease.
According to a Virgin Islands government report, the country’s plastic crisis could have a negative impact on tourism.
The tourism industry accounts for approximately 60% of the territory’s gross domestic product.
Coca-Cola has been taking steps to address these growing concerns.
A Coca-Cola plant in Philadelphia, for example, has switched from plastic six-pack rings to paper packaging, and PepsiCo has invested in sustainable agriculture.
However, the plaintiffs requested that the court prohibit Coca-Cola and PepsiCo from engaging in deceptive trade practices.
They also requested that it impose fines based on the violations alleged in the lawsuit.