Keurig Fined $3M For ‘Misleading’ Claims That Pods Are Recyclable

The Competition Bureau of Canada has fined Keurig CA$3 million (US$2.37 million) for “misleading” claims over the recyclability of its single-use coffee pods. 

Additionally, the company will donate CA$800,000 to an environmental charity, and pay the Bureau CA$85,000 for the cost of the investigation. 

Keurig was said to have misled consumers that its coffee pods could be recycled, when in truth, they weren’t accepted by municipal recycling programs apart from British Columbia and Quebec.

According to BNN Bloomberg, it didn’t provide adequate resources for the pods to be recycled in certain municipalities either. 

Following the fine, the company will have to display the correct information pertaining to the eco-friendliness of its products on its website, social media accounts, and packaging. 

“Portraying products or services as having more environmental benefits than they truly have is an illegal practice in Canada,” explained Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, as per the CBC.

“False or misleading claims by businesses to promote ‘greener’ products harm consumers who are unable to make informed purchasing decisions, as well as competition and businesses who actually offer products with a lower environmental impact,” he added.

Keurig said that going forward, it plans to work together with the different municipalities so more of them will accept the coffee pods to be recycled. 

[via BNN Bloomberg and CBC, cover image via Darryl Brooks | Dreamstime.com]