[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by blueash

Let me suggest a way to think about this issue. If Pepsi decided to sell soda in a lead can, carefully treated so no lead leached into the soda but of course the container when disposed would add lead to the soil or water as it broke down. No harm came to the direct consumer, it was used as directed, and only after disposal was the environment damaged with a poison that has subtle but potentially very serious health consequences for animals and humans....

Should Pepsi be responsible for selling such a lead polluting product? I think you'd say yes, absolutely.

Microplastics are increasingly being recognized as a very long term health hazard and they don't break down.

Pepsi surely could sell its products in paper or glass or aluminum. It does not have to sell it in a dangerous container. Perhaps there are plastics which break down completely and don't leave microplastic pollution but Pepsi does not use those.

The basis of this suit is that NYS is claiming that the product is dangerous and toxic which you already accepted as a legitimate reason for litigation.

There are two problems that come to mind. First, it is not the container material that is being singled out, it is Pepsi. It *may* be that Pepsi contributes the most to the plastic pollution in the Buffalo river but they are not the only contributor. If the problem is the plastic then why not target the number two contributor or all contributors? But Pepsi is the only company mentioned.

Second, there are many poisonous materials being used in many products. Lead-acid batteries contain lead with the same characteristics you mentioned above. Some thermometers and thermostats contain mercury. Smoke detectors have batteries with hazardous materials and small amounts of radioactive materials. Cooling systems contain chemicals dangerous to people and to the environment. All these, and the Pepsi bottles, are safe when used and discarded appropriately. Those who inappropriately handle or discard the other materials can be held accountable. Why is it that only improperly discarding Pepsi plastic containers is a liability to the company?