Study identifies Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé among top contributors to plastic pollution 

UK – A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances has highlighted Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé among major contributors to plastic pollution. 

Conducted with the help of over 100,000 volunteers, the research catalogued over 1.8 million pieces of plastic waste, identifying 28,570 brand names found in areas including beaches, rivers, and parks in 84 countries. 

According to the study, the top five companies were responsible for 24 percent of the branded plastic waste, with 56 companies accounting for over 50 percent of the pollution.  

Notably, The Coca-Cola Company emerged as the leading contributor, responsible for 11 percent of the branded plastic, surpassing other industry giants.Following Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestlé were also identified among the top plastic polluters.  

The study emphasized that food and beverage products, often single-use items consumed on-the-go, significantly contribute to plastic waste due to their shorter time periods of use before disposal. 

Moreover, the researchers highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in how companies report on plastic production, advocating for solutions to reduce plastic production and prioritize sustainability.  

Recommendations included phasing out nonessential single-use products, implementing sustainable product designs, investing in non-plastic alternatives, and supporting refill-reuse distribution models. 

In response to the study, Nestlé reaffirmed its commitment to addressing plastic waste, stating: “We have reduced in the last five years our new (virgin) plastic usage by 14.9%.

Since launching our voluntary commitments to address plastic waste five years ago, we have significantly outperformed the market at large in reducing virgin plastic and increasing recyclability, according to the most recent report from the Ellen Macarthur Foundation.” 

Similarly, Coca-Cola’s UK business acknowledged the importance of reducing plastic packaging and outlined its ambitious goal to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one sold by 2030. 

It said, “We have an ambitious goal to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one we sell by 2030. In addition, we support well-designed ‘Deposit Return Schemes’ across Europe which we know can help us get our packaging back.”  

The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for collaborative action from both corporate producers and policymakers to combat plastic pollution effectively.  

With plastic waste posing a significant environmental threat, concerted efforts are essential to transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. 

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