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Los Angeles County Sues PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Over Plastic Pollution, Recycling Deception

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07 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo and Coca-Cola on October 30, arguing that the companies misled the public on product recyclability and the impact of plastic pollution on the environment.

According to the lawsuit, as documented by Reuters, the county is filing a suit for public nuisance and violations of unfair competition law and false advertising law and is seeking injunctive relief, restitution, abatement and civil penalties.

In the lawsuit, the county argues that PepsiCo and Coca-Cola were intentionally misleading about the recyclability of plastic beverage containers, and the lawsuit alleges that the companies knew that the plastic beverage containers could not be thrown out or recycled without impacting the environment. The county also noted that making, throwing out and recycling plastic all still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and negatively impact the environment.

“Los Angeles County is committed to reducing the use of plastic and protecting the environment,” Los Angeles County Board Chair Lindsey Horvath said in a statement. “Coke and Pepsi need to stop the deception and take responsibility for the plastic pollution problems your products are causing. Los Angeles County will continue to address the serious environmental impacts caused by companies engaging in misleading and unfair business practices.”

According to Break Free From Plastic’s 2023 Global Brand Audit, which was released in February 2024, Coca-Cola is the top plastic polluter globally, a position it has held for six consecutive years based on the audit. 

Other top polluters in the report include Nestlé, Unilever, PepsiCo, Mondelēz International, Mars, Inc., Procter & Gamble, Danone, Altria and British American Tobacco. As The Associated Press reported, Coca-Cola produces an estimated 3.224 million metric tons of plastic each year, and PepsiCo produces around 2.5 million metric tons of plastic per year.

The lawsuit also stated that these two companies are some of the world’s top plastic polluters and alleges their plastic bottles have littered the county, accumulating on land and in waterways to threaten wildlife and public health and costing the county resources to clean up the mess. According to the lawsuit, plastic is also the top type of litter on land in the state and makes up most of the list of top 10 littered products on beaches in the state.

Los Angeles County highlighted circularity claims by PepsiCo and Coca-Cola and argued that these claims were deceptive to consumers.

“However, in reality, plastic bottles can only be recycled once, if at all, making promises of a ‘circular economy’ impossible,” the lawsuit stated. “Moreover, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have pushed forward purported solutions, like chemical recycling, that they know, or should know, will not solve the problem. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have also made false promises that they would increase the use of recycled plastic by certain percentages and eliminate the use of virgin plastic.”

PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are part of the American Beverage Association, which responded denying the lawsuit’s claims over plastic recycling labels and highlighting a 71% bottle recycling rate in 2023, The Associated Press reported.

In 2023, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) reported to authorities over misleading recyclability claims by multiple companies, including Coca-Cola. That complaint argued that labels with details such as “100% recyclable” or “100% recycled” were vague or false.

“The reality is single use plastic is neither circular nor sustainable. Recycling can never catch up with the sheer volume of plastic produced on our planet,” Rosa Pritchard, plastics lawyer at ClientEarth, said of the BEUC legal complaint. “Companies are in a unique position to change how we consume but currently these claims — which we consider to be misleading — are making it hard for consumers to make good environmental choices.”

The post Los Angeles County Sues PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Over Plastic Pollution, Recycling Deception appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Mitigating cybersecurity risks in tomorrow's smart cities

Mitigating cybersecurity risks in tomorrow's smart cities

As global cities embrace the potential of ‘smart’ technology, from optimised traffic management to advanced energy grids, the allure of a more efficient, sustainable and digitally connected urban landscape is becoming a reality.

However, with these advancements come significant cybersecurity challenges that cities must address to ensure the promise of innovation is not overshadowed by the risk of threats. To build the resilient, sustainable cities of tomorrow, cybersecurity must be integrated as a core principle in every step of development.

The evolution of smart cities

Smart cities represent a groundbreaking shift in urban planning and management. These cities integrate advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G networks to improve city services such as traffic management, waste collection, energy distribution and emergency response.

Countries like Singapore, South Korea and Germany are leading the way, investing billions in smart city technologies. China, as part of its ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, has outlined an ambitious Smart Cities Development Plan to modernise its urban infrastructure.

Yet, as investment increases, so does the risk. The interconnected nature of smart cities presents an attractive target for cybercriminals, with critical infrastructure systems — such as energy, health care and transportation — vulnerable to cyber attacks that could ripple across the urban landscape.

Key cyberthreats facing smart cities

The list of cybersecurity threats faced by smart cities is diverse. Some have the potential to cause significant disruption to services and cause damage and loss for residents. Some of the most significant include:

Ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure:

Ransomware attacks on city systems are escalating as cybercriminals capitalise on the growing digital footprint of urban infrastructure. Municipalities worldwide have experienced system lockdowns, where attackers demand ransom payments to restore access to critical services.

Public safety system attacks:

Emergency systems, video surveillance and gunshot detection technologies are indispensable for public safety in smart cities. Unfortunately, these systems are prime targets for cyber attacks.

A survey conducted by UC Berkeley’s Centre for Long-Term Cybersecurity1 highlighted emergency alert systems as particularly vulnerable within smart city infrastructure. An attack on these systems could result in widespread panic or delayed response to genuine emergencies.

Data breaches and privacy concerns:

Smart cities collect vast amounts of data on their citizens, from travel patterns to health details. The widespread use of sensors and IoT devices makes these data pools tempting targets for hackers. A successful breach could lead to identity theft, financial fraud and diminished trust in public institutions.

Water supply and sanitation threats:

Attacks targeting water supply systems are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within smart city infrastructure. In 2021, hackers attempted to poison the water supply in Oldsmar, Florida, by altering chemical treatment levels. Although thwarted, the incident underscored the dangers posed to critical infrastructure by cyberthreats.

Cyberthreats transcend borders

The interconnected nature of smart cities amplifies the potential impact of cyber attacks, extending beyond individual municipalities. A breach in one city could have cascading effects on neighbouring regions and even disrupt international systems.

For example, a successful attack on a city’s energy grid could affect hospitals, schools and essential services over a wide area. A breach in transportation infrastructure could delay shipments, disrupting global supply chains.

Beyond financial losses, a successful cyber attack can also erode public trust in digital infrastructure, potentially slowing the adoption of smart city technologies that are essential for achieving sustainability goals.

Preparing for tomorrow’s cybersecurity threats

Building resilient smart cities requires comprehensive cybersecurity measures that address vulnerabilities across infrastructure, data and citizen engagement. Key strategies include:

1. Adopting a ‘secure-by-design’ approach:

Cities should embrace a secure-by-design strategy, ensuring cybersecurity is integrated from the earliest stages of technology deployment. This involves rigorous risk assessments and the use of encryption, multi-factor authentication and regular software updates.

2. Cross-sector collaboration:

Protecting smart cities from cyberthreats requires collaboration between government, private sector and technology providers. By sharing threat intelligence and co-ordinating on cybersecurity protocols, public and private entities can respond swiftly to cyber incidents.

3. Investing in cybersecurity talent:

As demand for cybersecurity experts rises, cities must invest in developing a skilled workforce. Governments, educational institutions and businesses should collaborate to create training programs that equip professionals with the skills needed to protect smart city infrastructures.

4. Citizen awareness and cyber hygiene:

Engaging citizens in cybersecurity efforts is crucial for creating a safe digital environment. Public awareness campaigns can teach residents about recognising phishing attempts, securing their devices and reporting suspicious activities. Empowering citizens to practice good cyber hygiene strengthens a city’s overall security.

Building resilient smart cities

The potential of smart cities is vast, offering enhanced quality of life, greater efficiency and sustainable urban living. However, without addressing cybersecurity risks, these benefits could be undermined by significant threats.

By prioritising cybersecurity as a fundamental component of smart city development, cities worldwide can build resilient infrastructures that protect citizens, sustain public trust, and lay the groundwork for a safer, more connected future.

Les Williamson is Regional Director Australia and New Zealand at Check Point Software Technologies, a cybersecurity platform provider of AI-powered, cloud delivered solutions. He has more than three decades of sales and leadership experience in the IT industry, having previously been Head of the AWS Telecommunications Business Unit for Asia Pacific and Japan as well as Vice President for ANZ at Citrix. In addition, he worked for Cisco Systems for more than 10 years in a variety of roles, including as Vice President Asia Pacific.

1. https://cltc.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Smart_City_Cybersecurity.pdf

Top image credit: iStock.com/gremlin

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