"The agency said Keurig, in its financial filings, had claimed its pods could be “effectively recycled” but didn’t note that two big recycling companies wouldn’t accept them."

"Financial regulators on Tuesday charged Keurig Dr Pepper, the maker of popular K-Cup single-use coffee pods, with making inaccurate claims about the recyclability of the plastic pods.

The fine, $1.5 million, is small for one of the world’s largest beverage companies. Keurig Dr Pepper has a market capitalization of more than $50 billion. Still, experts said the action signaled a willingness by financial regulators to challenge recycling claims based on the principle that they could be inflating a company’s shareholder value.

“Public companies must ensure that the reports they file with the S.E.C. are complete and accurate,” said John T. Dugan, an associate director at the Securities and Exchange Commission."

Hiroko Tabuchi reports for the New York Times September 10, 2024. [2]