More than half of plastic pollution is linked to just 56 companies. Thirteen companies individually contribute 1% or more to the total brand plastics observed in 1,576 audit events. All of these companies are related to the production of food, beverages, or tobacco products.
A recent study published in Science Advances AAAS ( The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s ) revealed that over 50% of brand plastic pollution found in the environment was linked to 56 specific companies. Researchers used data collected during a five-year program (2018-2022) spanning 84 countries to identify brands found as plastic waste in nature.
Among the organizations involved in the research is CSIRO, Australia’s national scientific agency, which collaborated with 12 other international organizations. This study provides the first global quantification of brand plastic products present in the environment through audits.
According to Dr. Kathy Willis, a postdoctoral researcher at CSIRO, it was identified that 13 companies had an individual contribution of 1% or more to the total brand plastics observed in 1,576 audit events. All of these companies are related to the production of food, beverages, or tobacco products.
The global leading companies in terms of the presence of their products as plastic waste were The Coca-Cola Company, linked to 11% of brand items, followed by PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), and Danone (3%). The prevalence of companies in the food and beverage sector, especially those producing single-use packaging, suggests that they significantly contribute to brand plastic pollution.
The study also revealed that a 1% increase in plastic production was associated with a 1% increase in plastic pollution. This highlights the importance of reducing plastic production to curb pollution.
Dr. Win Cowger, research director of the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, led this study, highlighting the growing global problem of plastic pollution. It is suggested that reducing plastic production could be key to addressing this issue, advocating for a shift towards more durable and reusable products.
In this regard, the research provides a new focus on brand plastic pollution and underscores the importance of finding solutions to address single-use plastics. Improving product design to be safe and sustainable, reducing the demand for new products, and promoting reuse, repairability, and recyclability are some of the suggested measures.
Additionally, it was found that 50% of plastic items had no identifiable brand. Improving product labeling and identification could facilitate traceability and accountability. Establishing international standards for packaging branding could contribute to better management of plastic products and greater corporate accountability on this issue.
Full length publication: Global producer responsibility for plastic pollution