Revealed: Which brands are responsible for most litter pollution in the UK | Climate News

The worst packaging polluters within the UK have been revealed by a marketing campaign group.

An annual waste audit by Surfers In opposition to Sewage noticed 4,000 citizen scientists accumulate over 30,700 items of garbage alongside coastlines, canal paths and metropolis streets.

Simply 12 corporations have been answerable for 70% of the objects that carried branding.

Coca-Cola topped the record for the fourth 12 months operating, regardless of the corporate launching initiatives to slash plastic air pollution.

McDonald’s was in second place with PepsiCo third – and altogether, the three manufacturers have been answerable for 37% of the branded air pollution collected.

Tesco, Haribo, Nestle, Heineken, Mars, Carlsberg and Pink Bull have been additionally named in what Surfers In opposition to Sewage known as “the soiled dozen”.

Izzy Ross, the group’s campaigns supervisor, described the outcomes as “stunning, however sadly not shocking” – and known as on huge companies to scrub up their act.

“12 months on 12 months we’re seeing the identical culprits answerable for disgusting quantities of plastic air pollution on our seashores, and in our cities and countryside,” she warned.

Surfers In opposition to Sewage is asking on these corporations to be held accountable – and take additional steps to slash their plastic use and carbon footprint.

Campaigners additionally need the federal government to implement an “all-in” deposit return scheme for drinks containers of all sizes and supplies.

Whereas plans for a deposit return scheme have been introduced in England, Wales and Northern Eire, it will not embrace glass – and its launch has been delayed till 2025.

Ms Ross accused the federal government of “stalling”, and added: “In doing so, it’s condemning our ocean, seashores and rivers to an additional eight billion additional items of plastic a 12 months, as plastic step by step chokes these fragile ecosystems to demise.”

A Coca-Cola spokesperson mentioned it’s clear the world is going through a packaging waste drawback, and the drinks big has a accountability to assist remedy it.

“Right here within the UK, all of our bottles are already recyclable, and all of our smaller packs are made with 100% recycled plastic, excluding cap and label,” they added.

McDonald’s mentioned 90% of its packaging comes from recycled or renewable sources – and plastic McFlurry lids, straws, salad containers, cutlery and Completely happy Meal toys have all been scrapped.

PepsiCo acknowledged litter on British seashores is a “enormous drawback” – and it should play a “vital function” in addressing it.

The enterprise has vowed to cut back plastic used throughout all of its merchandise, and part out virgin fossil-based plastics in all crisp packets by the top of the last decade.

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Nestle defined that plastic is used “within the pursuits of security, freshness and affordability” – however it’s “unacceptable for that packaging to finish up as litter within the pure surroundings”.

The corporate says it is aiming for near 100% of its packaging to be designed for recycling inside two years.

And Heineken mentioned: “We perceive the instant affect of litter on the surroundings and we now have taken some necessary steps to handle this challenge.”

Tesco, Haribo, Mars, Carlsberg, Pink Bull – in addition to the Division for Setting, Meals and Rural Affairs – have been contacted by the PA information company for remark.