Coca-cola named worst offender for plastic litter

Two of the world’s biggest soft drinks manufacturers have been named as the worst offenders for plastic litter blighting beaches and rivers around the UK.

Analysis of rubbish found during clean-ups carried out last month showed Coca-cola and Pepsico were between them responsible for a quarter of all plastic pollution. The findings were revealed in a report for ocean conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

The report show the vast majority of all branded waste was made by just a few parent companies, with ten firms accounting for more than half of all trash items.

From 229 clean-ups last month, a total of 49,413 pieces of rubbish were picked up. Of these, 20,045 were branded.

Coca Cola produced the largest proportion of branded items –15.5 per cent – while Pepsico made 10.3 per cent.

Completing the top five polluting parent firms were Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury, Mcdonalds and Nestle.

Hugo Tagholm, SAS chief executive, says the survey “clearly shows that big business is responsible for the scourge of plastic and packaging pollution”.

He added: “Just ten companies were responsible for over half of the packaging pollution recorded.”

MARTYN MCLAUGHLIN, PAGES 28&29

Just ten firms produced more than half of plastic trash found on UK beaches – Coca-cola was responsible for nearly 16 per cent and Pepsi more than 10 per cent