Coke, Pepsi top list in global count of plastic waste

Coca-Cola has been rated the world's worst plastic polluter for the third consecutive year, in a damning report that further reveals the scale of the global plastic crisis.

A recent study has revealed a direct link between plastic production and pollution, suggesting that for every one per cent increase in plastic production, there's a corresponding one per cent rise in plastic pollution in the environment.

56 companies account for over half of branded plastic pollution

Published in Science Advances, the research found that fast-moving consumer goods companies, like those producing food, beverage, or tobacco products, are particularly implicated in this issue compared to home and retail companies. It marks a significant step in understanding the relationship between plastic production and pollution.

Conducted by scientists from numerous universities across the globe, the study identified 56 global companies responsible for over half of all branded plastic pollution. Among them, The Coca-Cola Company ranked highest, followed by PepsiCo, Nestle, Danone, and Philip Morris International.

The five-year analysis utilized data from the #BreakFreeFromPlastic brand audit, which involved 1,576 investigations in 84 countries. Over 200,000 volunteers contributed data through initiatives like Break Free From Plastic and Five Gyres' TrashBlitz app.

The company's brand was discovered on 13,834 pieces of plastic at 51 of the 55 sites surveyed, more than the combined total of Nestlé (8,633) and PepsiCo (5,155), which were the second and third-worst polluters.

The project, which is run by 15,000 volunteers, collected almost 350,000 pieces of plastic waste, of which 63 per cent was marked with an identifiable mark. In total, more than 5,000 brands were identified in the survey.

The study's findings underscore the urgent need to reduce plastic production, especially in regions dominated by fast-moving consumer goods. As world leaders convene for the INC-4 conference in Ottawa, Canada, negotiations for a global plastics treaty are underway.

Coke, Pepsi top list in global count of plastic waste

Brand names can hold plastic companies accountable for pollution. Data from a 5-year global program identified brands on plastic items in 84 countries. 50% were unbranded, urging producer reporting mandates. Top brands included Coca-Cola (11%), PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%), and Altria (2%). 56 companies accounted for over 50% of pollution.

"Our study underscores the critical role of corporate accountability in tackling plastic pollution," says Dr. Lisa Erdle, director of Science and Innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute. "I urge world leaders at INC-4 to listen to the science, and to consider the clear link between plastic production and pollution during negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty."

The study found that over half of the collected plastic items lacked branding, indicating a lack of transparency in plastic production and labeling. To address this, researchers propose establishing an international database where companies must report their products, packaging, and brands to improve traceability and accountability.

"When I first saw the relationship between production and pollution, I was shocked," says Win Cowger of the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. "Despite all the things big brands say they are doing, we see no positive impact from their efforts. But on the other hand, it gives me hope, that reducing plastic production by fast-moving consumer goods companies will have a strong positive impact on the environment.”

A strong link exists between companies' plastic production and pollution. Phasing out single-use plastics by major polluters could significantly reduce global pollution.

This research serves as a crucial tool in advocating for a legally binding treaty that holds corporations accountable, prioritizes reductions in plastic production, and promotes re-use and replenishment systems.

It emphasizes the pivotal role of corporate responsibility in addressing plastic pollution and urges world leaders to heed scientific evidence as they negotiate the global plastics treaty at INC-4.

PepsiCo, the second-largest polluter, made it into the top three rankings for the third year in a row in 2021. Unilever, on the other hand, moved up the ranks this year to No. 3, a finding that Break Free From Plastic described as “particularly insulting.” as it serves as lead partner for COP26 in November.

Plastic is not only one of the world's largest sources of landfill waste, shoreline and coastal pollution, and degradation of wildlife and biodiversity, it is also a major contributor to emissions. Currently, 99% of all plastic is made from fossil fuels.

Just last week, leading health and environmental experts warned that the planet only has 9 years left to deal with the plastic crisis before "irreversible" damage is done.

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