According to a new report on the global plastic pollution crisis, 56 companies account for more than 50% of branded plastic waste.
Four brands account for more than 20% of all branded pollution: the Coca-Cola Company accounts for 11%, PepsiCo accounts for 5%, Nestlé accounts for 3% and Danone accounts for 2%.
A five-year audit of plastic pollution across 84 countries, published in Science Advances, and led by researchers at the University of Toronto in partnership with universities across the globe.
They are among the biggest companies in the world and have operations in every country in the world, said co-author and Dalhousie professor Tony Walker.
This peer-reviewed analysis was based on data collected by volunteers at over 1,500 beach, park, river and other public events. The audits were conducted by Break Free from Plastic, an environmental group, and ran from 2018 to 2022.
According to the study, plastic production has doubled since 2000, rising from 200 million to 400 million tons in 2019.
In a statement, the company said it aims to have 100% recyclable packaging worldwide by 2025 and at least 50% recycled material in packaging by 2030. Coca-Cola also aims to collect and recycle one bottle or can for every one sold by 2030.
PepsiCo said in a statement on Wednesday that it has been investing for over 10 years to reduce the amount of packaging we use, increase the use of reusable products, and work with partners to create collection and recycling systems. The company also said that it is pushing for an ambitious and mandatory global policy framework to reduce plastic pollution and encourages others to follow suit.
In a Wednesday statement, Nestlé said plastic pollution “is a serious concern and one we are actively working to reduce” and that it “agrees with the need for global legally-binding regulation.” The statement also highlighted Nestlé’s ongoing efforts to set up waste collection and sorting and recycling systems in Europe and Africa, Asia and North America, and Latin America.