We all know that the plastic pollution problem is out of control. Each year, more and more plastic finds it's way into our water ways and, eventually, the ocean. This represents a failure of government -- for failing to enact and enforce strict regulation -- but also industry, which typically fights recycling measures tooth and nail. Coca-Cola, for example, has been caught on numerous occasions fighting efforts to hold it accountable for plastic waste.
As it happens, in a recent audit of ocean plastic, Coke continues to be the worst offender when it comes to plastic waste. According to data from https://oceana.org/ the Top 10 are:
Coca-Cola
Pepsico
Unilever
Nestle
Procter and Gamble
Mondelez
Philip Morris
Danona
Mars
Colgate Palmolive
So, among the top priorities for us consumers should be to avoid these corporations until they clean up their act. Other effective steps we can all take include support municipal recycling programs, taking part in "Clean Up" events, increase the use of reusable containers and support politicians pushing for the phase-out of single use plastics.
Efforts like https://theoceancleanup.com/ are a source of hope and inspiration, no doubt, but for comprehensive change we need to all live by the principals of reduce, re-use, reycle, redesign - every day.
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