Keurig K-cups may not be as environmentally-friendly as once thought, and that revelation will cost the coffee company a hefty penalty.
In a release, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., the overall parent corporation responsible for Keurig, committed a sin of omission when declaring the recyclability of their coffee pods.
“Keurig did not disclose that two of the largest recycling companies in the United States had expressed significant concerns to Keurig regarding the commercial feasibility of curbside recycling of K-Cup pods at that time and indicated that they did not presently intend to accept them for recycling,” the release read.
A product is only recyclable if someone will agree to recycle it, after all.
To that end, Keurig released a statement asserting that their pods are made of recyclable plastic. They also urged customers to “check with their local recycling program to verify acceptance of pods, as they are not recycled in many communities.”
Keurig will pay a $1.5 million settlement as punishment.