Less than 60 multinational companies are responsible for more than half of global plastic pollution, with six companies responsible for a quarter of it.
Every percent increase in plastic production corresponds to a proportional increase in environmental pollution.
The findings underscore the urgent need for a globally binding treaty to reduce plastic production.
New Study Reveals: Few Large Companies Responsible for Over Half of Global Plastic Pollution.
A recent study reveals that fewer than 60 multinational corporations are responsible for over half of the world's plastic pollution, with six companies alone accounting for a quarter of it. Based on the findings of the investigation published on Wednesday, every percent increase in plastic production leads to a corresponding rise in environmental pollution. Lisa Erdle, Director of Science at the non-profit organization The 5 Gyres Institute, emphasizes, "Production truly means pollution."
An international team of volunteers collected and surveyed more than 1,870,000 pieces of plastic waste across 84 countries over five years. It was found that the majority of the waste consisted of single-use packaging for food, beverages, and tobacco products.
Less than half of this plastic waste had identifiable branding that could be traced back to the company responsible for the packaging. The remainder could not be accounted for.
The branded portion of the plastic waste was attributed to just 56 multinational consumer goods companies, with a quarter of it coming from only six companies.
The two tobacco companies Altria and Philip Morris International accounted for a combined 2% of the branded plastic waste, while Danone and Nestlé each produced 3%, PepsiCo 5%, and 11% of the branded plastic waste could be traced back to Coca-Cola.
Experts warn that the voluntary measures taken by many of these companies to reduce their impact on plastic pollution are insufficient. Plastic production has doubled since the early 2000s, while studies show that only 9% of plastic is recycled.
