Nestlé, PepsiCo, & The Coca-Cola among major polluters
A recent study has shed light on the staggering impact of multinational corporations on the world’s plastic pollution crisis. The report led by the researchers of The 5 Gyres Institute, finds that less than 60 major multinational corporate companies are responsible for over half of the planet’s plastic pollution, with six giants accounting for a quarter of that burden.
The 5 Gyres Institute is an international non-profit organisation that thoroughly surveyed over 1.8 million pieces of plastic waste across 84 countries, highlighting a disturbing trend primarily driven by single-use packaging from fast-moving consumer goods and the impact of corporate packaging practices on environmental degradation.
The study’s lead researcher, Lisa Erdle, the director of science at The 5 Gyres Institute, underscores the urgent need for corporate accountability in combating the escalating plastic pollution crisis. “Production really is pollution,” said Erdle.
Key players identified in the study include industry giants such as Altria, Philip Morris International, Danone, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and The Coca-Cola Company. Together, these companies are responsible for a significant portion of the world’s branded plastic waste. Despite some companies’ commitments to address their plastic footprint, the efficacy of voluntary measures is questioned by experts.
The research highlights a direct correlation between plastic production by companies and the resulting environmental pollution. This suggests curbing plastic production from these corporations is crucial. The study criticizes the tendency to place the blame solely on consumers but emphasizes the role of corporations in generating plastic waste through packaging choices.
Key Points from the study:
Production Equals Pollution: Researchers, including Lisa Erdle, director of science at The 5 Gyres Institute, underscore the direct correlation between plastic production and environmental pollution. Every percentage increase in plastic production corresponds to a matching rise in plastic waste contaminating the environment.
Corporate Responsibility: Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez, a plastic pollution researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, emphasizes the critical need for transparency and accountability within multinational corporations. Only by identifying and holding companies responsible for their plastic packaging can meaningful change occur, she said while speaking to Guardian.
Industry Response: While some companies, like Coca-Cola and Nestlé, have made commitments to address their plastic footprint, the efficacy of voluntary measures is questioned by experts. However, with plastic production doubling since the beginning of the century and only 9% of plastic being recycled, experts argue that voluntary measures are insufficient to address the magnitude of the problem.
Call for Action: Experts argue for urgent measures to cap plastic production, emphasizing the need for a globally binding treaty to regulate plastic pollution. Talks are underway to establish such a treaty, highlighting the pressing need for international cooperation in combating this escalating environmental crisis.
The study’s authors advocate for urgent measures to cap plastic production and establish a globally binding treaty to regulate plastic pollution. Talks are currently underway to address this issue, highlighting the need for international cooperation in tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
About Author
Leave a Reply