Waste items highlight major polluters

A red and white bottle found on a Bali beach, a packet of instant noodles in a Philippine river, and a half-decomposed candy bag on a French riverbank are among the waste items collected by volunteers worldwide. These items, while common, reveal a consistent pattern: the same three companies regularly top the global plastic pollution rankings.

Report ranks top plastic polluters

Since 2018, the Break Free From Plastic report, based on waste collections and brand audits by over 200,000 volunteers in 87 countries, has consistently placed Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé at the top of the rankings. Coca-Cola has dominated for six editions, generating more waste than Nestlé and PepsiCo combined.

Company rankings show little change

Nestlé only left the top three in 2021 when Unilever briefly took its place. However, Nestlé regained its position in subsequent reports. Coca-Cola has consistently led the rankings, with more waste attributed to it than the combined total of PepsiCo and Nestlé. PepsiCo has maintained a consistent position in the top three, forming a trio of companies that dominate the rankings.

Methodology identifies global patterns

Over six years, the rankings have shown little change, highlighting the limitations of voluntary commitments by large corporations in reducing single-use plastic. The Break Free From Plastic movement now calls for a legally binding global treaty to address plastic pollution. The report's methodology involves volunteers collecting waste, sorting it, photographing readable logos, and counting occurrences by brand.

Voluntary efforts fall short

This process has identified a consistent pattern: the packaging of a few multinational corporations is found in various environments globally. Nestlé has remained a top contender since the first report, with its presence noted in multiple countries. However, in 2021, Unilever briefly surpassed Nestlé, though Nestlé regained its position in subsequent reports. Despite these companies' voluntary commitments to reduce plastic use, the movement now advocates for a legally binding treaty to impose real obligations on multinational corporations, as voluntary efforts have not significantly altered the situation.