A study published in the journal Science Advances revealed that just five companies are responsible for 24% of all plastic waste worldwide.
The Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research in California conducted the investigation, analysing plastic waste collected from 2018 to 2022.
Among the more than 1.8 million pieces of waste gathered, over 900,000 had visible labelling, allowing experts to pinpoint that less than 60 companies are the main sources of global plastic waste.
Coca-Cola, the largest contributor, was responsible for 11% of the total branded plastic pollution, followed by PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone, and Altria.
Despite corporate claims of prioritising recycling, the escalating pollution levels suggest a discrepancy between their statements and reality, raising questions about the recyclability of plastics compared to materials such as glass and aluminium.
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