Study Highlights Major Brands as Sources of Plastic Pollution
A recent Science Advances paper, “Global producer responsibility for plastic pollution,” identifies major brands as frequent sources of branded plastic found in the environment. The study reports that The Coca‑Cola Company (11%), PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%) and Altria (2%) together account for 24% of branded items collected. It also finds that 56 companies represent more than half of all branded plastic pollution and describes a strong log‑log linear relationship between a company’s annual plastic production and its share of branded pollution. Food and beverage firms are highlighted as especially large contributors.
Policy Recommendations and Practical Considerations
The authors’ primary policy recommendation is to phase out single‑use and short‑lived plastic products among the largest polluters. While well‑intentioned, that prescription is narrow and omits important practical considerations.
Packaging performs essential functions: it delivers products to consumers safely and preserves product quality. There is limited room to eliminate packaging entirely, and retailers already o...