Do you know how Pepsi handle with their used plastic bottles? Many customers might be aware that Pepsi’s has all its plastic waste exported to India every year and according to the reporters, piles and piles of used soda bottles from Pepsi were stacked in abandoned factories in Southern India.
Why did Pepsi export all the waste to India? Firstly, it will save the company much money since it is cheaper to handle the waste in India than to recycle it in the United States or transport it to U.S landfill sites. Secondly, Pepsi understands that if the plastic is not well processed, it will lead to environmental damages. Therefore, having all the waste exported to India helps the company escape from dealing directly with these problems. What Pepsis needs to do is to pay India to process the waste for the company.
It is just unfair for the developing countries. Since they already have enough problems dealing with their own plastic wastes, why should they import other people’s garbage? As a beverage giant, Pepsi’s behaviours are considered unethical because it makes India bear the burden of environmental and health impacts from plastic waste, while consumers worldwide will be able to continue purchasing products from Pepsi and disposing its plastic bottles. In other words, India is suffering from the consequences, while Pepsi is enjoying its growing profit and its reputation of being “environmentally friendly” by promising that the bottles are being properly recycled but actually it isn’t. At worst, Pepsi encourages consumers to buy more since their environmental concerns are lessened by the promise that the bottles are being recycled but it turns out that most of the plastic bottles that are exported to India cannot be processed and then be discarded there. The environment problems are hided from the customers but the truth will be eventually disclosed. In conclusion, having green or environmentally friendly products is necessary for a business’s long term survival in the competitive market where customers are getting more concerned with the environment.