Coca-Cola again becomes top single use plastic polluter in Bangladesh

The global soft drink brand Coca-Cola has again become the top single use plastic polluter in Bangladesh for the fifth time in a row, with 20.78 per cent of the total waste collected under Brand Audit 2022.

Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) conducted the Brand Audit 2022 and came up with the information on Monday. 

Around 30,862 pieces of plastic waste were collected by the volunteers in three cities--Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong -- with a weight of 166.1877 kg. 

The audit record identified major 38 local and 14 international companies producing near about 220 product brands in total. The study identified specific brands and their corresponding manufacturers whose items were found in the most abundant amounts.

The rest of the collected wastes were named for Pepsico (15.60 per cent), Pran-RFL group (9.63 per cent) followed by Unilever (6.5 per cent), Partex Group (5.08 per cent), Akij Group (3.63 per cent), Nestle (5.1 per cent), Bombay Sweets limited (3.07 per cent), and other multinational and local corporations.

The brands include – Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mum, Pran, Zaa and Zee, Alooz, Matador Orbit, Bashundhara tissue (packet), Fresh Tissue (packet), Lexus, Center Fruit, Fruit Fun, Pulse, Ruchi, Sunsilk, Center Fruit, Mum, Kinley, etc.

The total list is dominated mainly by The Coca-Cola Company, Pran-RFL Group, PepsiCo, Partex Group, Akij Food & Beverage Limited and Unilever, said ESDO.

Former Secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed said: “Single-use plastic has disastrous consequences not only for the environment but also for human health. Corporations must take responsibility for the plastic pollution they are causing.” 

ESDO’s Executive Director, Siddika Sultana stated that over 4,000 chemicals have been identified that are potentially present in plastic packaging or used during its manufacture. At least 148 of these chemicals have been identified as hazardous to human health and/or the environment.