Climate warning
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The Coca-Cola Company

Climate warning

New study: 60 companies responsible for half of global plastic pollution

A recent study has unveiled a troubling reality: fewer than 60 multinational corporations bear the responsibility for over 50% of the world's plastic pollution, with 5 major players contributing a staggering quarter of this total.
The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone, and Altria ... Congrats! You are top polluters. 🥳🎉

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Led by Lisa Erdle from The 5 Gyres Institute, the study shows the direct link between plastic production and environmental degradation and proves once again that "production really is pollution."
In the past 5 years, an international team meticulously collected and analysed over 1.87 million pieces of plastic waste across 84 countries. Shockingly, the bulk of this detritus comprised single-use packaging for food, beverages, and tobacco products. Despite growing public awareness and voluntary commitments by some corporations, plastic production continues to surge, with a mere 9% of plastic being recycled.

Fig. 3. The global percent (x axis) of each company’s branded plastic (y axis) found in the 1494 audit events.
Fig. 3. The global percent (x axis) of each company’s branded plastic (y axis) found in the 1494 audit events.


As discussions on a UN Treaty for Plastic Pollution unfold, the study's findings reinforce the urgent need for a binding international agreement focusing on production measures. We can't keep producing fossil-based plastics that will end up polluting our environment and killing us slowly.





Do you agree?

125 more agrees trigger scaled up advertising

  • winnie nguru

    41 w

    These companies should find better ways of packaging.. I believe they are aware of just how much plastics pollute the environment. They should for once be mindful of our biodiversity more than their profits.

    3
    • George Kariuki

      41 w

      This is outrageous! 60 companies are responsible for HALF of the world's plastic pollution? And some like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé... shame on you for churning out single-use plastic that chokes our planet!

      2
      • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

        42 w

        What angers me is that countries keep on giving these multinational polluters licenses to operate.

        4
        • Kevin

          42 w

          This is just sad to see. Coca-Cola and other mentioned multi nationals are really vested in profits over reason. Laws should be enacted to punish such impunity!

          2
          • We Don't Have Time

            42 w

            Dear Sarah Chabane Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to The Coca-Cola Company by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time

            2
            • Munene Mugambi

              42 w

              Yet these corporations keep on operating with impunity as they have the ruling class in their pockets and all policies will favour them or they can ignore set guidelines and get away with a slap on the wrist. Our planet burns so a few people can add more money into their accounts

              3
              • Kevin

                42 w

                @munene_mugambi This is the height of arrogance because such entities have the means to produce alternative packaging whilst maintaining sales.

                2
              • Rashid Kamau

                42 w

                They need to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics as a good place to start.

                4
                • Munene Mugambi

                  42 w

                  @rashid_kamau They do this purposely as these single use plastics are easily manufactured at a low cost and they don't have to worry about circular economies of having them shipped back to the source for recycling or reuse.

                  3
                  • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

                    42 w

                    @munene_mugambi we'll said.We need a multinational approach to root out these companies

                    1
                  • walter lungayi

                    42 w

                    Tackling this issue will require targeted regulations and accountability measures to drive these major producers towards more sustainable practices and product designs. Collective action is imperative.

                    6
                    • Kevin

                      42 w

                      @walter_lungayi Well said

                      2
                      • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

                        42 w

                        @walter_lungayi countries should begin denying operating licences to these companies if they don't shape up.This is the only way....

                        1
                      • Elizabeth Gathigia

                        42 w

                        These companies should be held responsible and cleanup their own mess, they must be concerned with the trash as they are with the profits

                        5
                      • Annett Michuki..

                        42 w

                        the level of plastic disposed in lands are wanting

                        6
                        • Bruce Wilson LEED AP

                          42 w

                          While 60 companies produce the plastic, it is the consumers who do not properly recycle the plastic that are a bigger part of the problem!

                          6
                          • Kevin

                            42 w

                            @bruce_wilson_leed_ap_465 While acknowledging that,it is the sole responsibility of the producer to shield the consumer of single use plastics.

                            2
                            • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

                              42 w

                              @bruce_wilson_leed_ap_465 I think it is the responsibility of the producer to shield consumers from single use plastics.We cannot shift the blame to consumers who in most cases have nowhere to recycle these plastics

                              1
                            • Ann Nyambura

                              42 w

                              Time for them to step up and clean up their act!

                              6
                              • Princess

                                42 w

                                Classic case of hypocrisy at its finest.

                                7
                                • johnte ndeto

                                  42 w

                                  It's disgusting how they're responsible for so much plastic pollution, yet they probably spend more on PR campaigns than on actual environmental initiatives.

                                  6
                                  • Munene Mugambi

                                    42 w

                                    @johnte_ndeto I know right!!! They spend loads of money on greenwashing while ignoring the real issues which are caused by them polluting the environment. It would be comical if it wasn't so dangerous to our future.

                                    3
                                  • Varsa Mahananda

                                    42 w

                                    Climate health over mild inconvenience.

                                    11
                                    • Vermeer Xie

                                      42 w

                                      Great. Another reason to not buy Coca-Cola!

                                      12

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