Plastic Pollution Uncovered: Study Reveals FMCG Companies Responsible for 24% of Global Waste

The Moore Plastic Pollution Research Institute has published a study in Science Advances that analyzed nearly two million pieces of plastic pollution in the environment. The research found that half of the plastics could not be traced back to a specific brand, while 24% were linked to five major food and beverage companies: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone, and Altria.

The study also revealed that global plastic production has doubled from 2000 to 2019, resulting in more than 400 million tons of waste. Researchers and volunteers from 84 countries conducted audits of almost two million abandoned plastic items between 2018 and 2022, trying to identify brand names to determine their origin. However, a staggering 52% of the items were unbranded and untraceable, while only 24% could be linked back to the five companies mentioned above.

The authors of the study emphasize the need for mandatory labeling of plastic products to hold companies accountable for their plastic waste. They also suggest that reducing plastic production in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector could be a solution to curbing global plastic pollution. The findings align with a report published by Greenpeace that underscores the importance of corporate responsibility in tackling the plastic pollution crisis.

According to Greenpeace’s report, 56 transnational companies are responsible for more than half of the plastic pollution associated with branded items. The authors advocate for collective action by these companies, emphasizing that individuals are not solely responsible for the crisis. Initiatives such as brand audits conducted by volunteers are essential in documenting and addressing the plastic pollution problem on a global scale.

Overall, this analysis highlights the urgent need for action against plastic pollution and emphasizes the role that corporations play in contributing to this crisis. It underscores the importance of holding these companies accountable through mandatory labeling and collective action initiatives.