Bronte Wells
Nestlé has been named one of the world's top plastic polluters for three years in a row, with its products being the most frequently found discarded on beaches, rivers, and oceans. The company has been accused of zero progress in reducing plastic waste and has come under fire from environmental campaigners for its continued use of plastic bottles and single-use plastic packaging. While Nestlé has acknowledged the impact of its plastic waste and has committed to making its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, activists and environmental groups argue that the company is not doing enough to reduce its plastic production and is instead engaging in greenwashing by burning plastic waste and offloading responsibilities onto developing countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual plastic waste in metric tons | 95,000 |
| Plastic waste in the Philippines | 35,500 metric tons per year |
| Ranking in Break Free From Plastic's annual audit | 3rd |
| Coca-Cola plastic waste | 13,834 pieces |
| PepsiCo plastic waste | 5,155 pieces |
| Nestlé plastic waste | 8,633 pieces |
| Total plastic pollution by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé | Half a million tons |
| Number of cleanups and brand audits in 42 countries | 239 |
| Number of countries in which cleanups and brand audits were conducted | 42 |
| Number of plastic products collected across 30 countries | 4,149 |
| Ranking among global fast-moving consumer goods companies in Break Free From Plastic report | 6th |
| Annual single-use plastic production | 1.5 million metric tons |
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What You'll Learn
Nestlé's plastic waste in the Philippines
Nestlé has been accused of contributing significantly to plastic pollution in the Philippines, with a report by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) identifying the company as one of the top sources of plastic pollution in the country.
In 2019, it was estimated that Nestlé produced approximately 35,500 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste in the Philippines per year, making it the company's biggest plastic pollution footprint globally. This mismanaged waste is either burned or dumped, contributing to environmental degradation and pollution.
Nestlé Philippines has recognised the issue of plastic waste and has implemented initiatives to address it. The company became the first multinational fast-moving consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality in August 2020. By August 2021, Nestlé Philippines had collected, co-processed, and diverted over 27,000 metric tons of plastic waste from the environment, exceeding the volume of plastic used in its packaging during that period.
To achieve plastic neutrality, Nestlé Philippines expanded its collaboration with partners such as Republic Cement, CEMEX Holdings Philippines, and Plastic Credit Exchange. They employed waste management methods, such as co-processing plastic waste in cement kilns, where waste materials are processed at high temperatures to break them down into simpler compounds. The energy or mineral content recovered from this process is utilised in cement production, diverting waste from landfills, waterways, and oceans.
Nestlé Philippines also launched educational initiatives, such as solid waste management modules for schools, teens, and parents, endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission. Additionally, they encouraged consumers to access these modules and learn about proper waste segregation, recycling, and drop-off locations for plastic waste recycling, including Nestlé-sponsored collection points.
While Nestlé has made commitments to reduce plastic waste and achieve plastic neutrality, environmental campaigners have criticised the company for a lack of progress. Nestlé has responded by stating that it is making "meaningful progress" in sustainable packaging and has set targets to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, while also reducing its use of virgin plastics by one-third within the same period.
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The company's plastic neutrality program
Nestlé has been named one of the world's top plastic polluters for several years, with its products being the most frequently found discarded on beaches, rivers, parks, and other litter sites. The company has been accused of burning plastic waste, creating toxins that harm wildlife and people's health.
In response to these criticisms, Nestlé has developed a "plastic neutrality" program. The company aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 and to reduce its use of virgin plastics by one-third in the same period. Nestlé has also committed to reducing its plastic waste and minimizing its environmental footprint through various initiatives. For example, the company has optimized its packaging by reducing material thickness, size, and weight, such as with its 2022 lightweighting project, which redesigned plastic spoons included in infant formula cans, resulting in a 60% weight reduction and saving 93 tonnes of plastic annually.
Nestlé is also working to improve recycling infrastructure and encourage consumers to recycle. The company has identified 12 countries where waste is often mismanaged and has developed projects to scale up collection, sorting, and recycling efforts in these countries. Additionally, Nestlé has reduced the amount of plastic used for pallet wrapping in its South African factories by adopting new shrink film technology, resulting in a reduction of 115 tonnes of plastic packaging annually.
Nestlé's plastic neutrality program aims to contribute to a waste-free future through innovation, collaboration, and determination. The company's efforts reflect a commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic pollution, setting a new standard for corporate environmental responsibility.
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The impact of throwaway plastics
Throwaway plastics have a devastating impact on marine life, ecosystems, and human health. They account for 80% of all marine pollution, with 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. This plastic pollution primarily originates from littering, as disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, bottles, and other single-use items are not properly disposed of and find their way into waterways and, eventually, the ocean.
The presence of plastic in the ocean poses a direct threat to marine life. Animals suffer severe consequences when they come into contact with or ingest plastic, including suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections, and internal injuries. The impact extends beyond the individual animals affected, as plastic pollution also threatens marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web. Floating plastic items can facilitate the spread of invasive species, and microplastics have now infiltrated the food chain, showing up in drinking water, salt, beer, and the soil where we grow our vegetables.
The health of marine species is not the only concern. Plastic pollution also endangers human health. Microplastics have been detected in drinking water, and plastic materials are carcinogenic, capable of causing developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders by affecting the body's endocrine system. The economic costs of plastic in the ocean are substantial, estimated to be between $6-19 billion USD annually, impacting tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and cleanup efforts.
The magnitude of the plastic pollution crisis is evident in the prediction that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea. This crisis is fuelled by the durability of plastic, which can take 500-1000 years to degrade, and the ever-increasing production of plastic products. The EPA reports that every bit of plastic ever created still exists, and the fossil fuel industry's plans to increase plastic production will only exacerbate the problem.
While companies like Nestlé have stated their commitment to making "meaningful progress" in sustainable packaging, with goals to make 100% of their packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, they continue to face accusations of "zero progress" in reducing plastic waste. It is clear that addressing the impact of throwaway plastics requires urgent action and cooperation on a global scale, including reducing plastic production and promoting reusable alternatives to curb the tide of plastic pollution.
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Environmental impact of burning plastics
In 2020, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé were named the world's top plastic polluters for the third year in a row. Coca-Cola was ranked the world's number one plastic polluter by Break Free From Plastic in its annual audit, with its beverage bottles being the most frequently found discarded across 51 of 55 nations surveyed. The audit, undertaken by 15,000 volunteers, identified the largest number of plastic products from global brands found across the highest number of countries.
Nestlé has been accused of making "zero progress" on reducing plastic waste. It is estimated that Nestlé creates about 95,000 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste every year across six developing nations. The company's biggest plastic pollution footprint is in the Philippines, where approximately 35,500 metric tons are produced annually, followed by Brazil. In March 2020, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Unilever were found to be responsible for half a million tons of plastic pollution in six developing countries each year in a survey by NGO Tearfund.
Now, let's discuss the environmental impact of burning plastics. Burning plastic is a major source of air pollution and contributes to respiratory diseases and cancer. When plastic is burned, it releases toxic gases such as dioxins, furans, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the atmosphere. These toxic substances pose a threat to vegetation, human and animal health, and the environment as a whole. Dioxins settle on crops and in waterways, eventually entering our food systems and causing cancer, disrupting thyroid and respiratory systems, and acting as endocrine disruptors.
Additionally, the burning of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) releases hazardous halogens, and polystyrene harms the central nervous system. If agricultural bags or containers are contaminated with pesticides or other harmful substances, they will also be released into the air during burning. Unburned portions of plastic can become litter on the ground and in water bodies, leading to animals consuming them and getting sick. Larger pieces of plastic can become breeding grounds for diseases, such as by trapping water and providing habitats for mosquitoes.
Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin, impacting thousands of acres of forested land and threatening structures annually. Uncontrolled wildfires pose serious threats to public safety, property, and natural resources. They can also lead to serious injuries and fatalities, either directly or indirectly, such as through cardiac arrest due to smoke inhalation or the trauma of trying to extinguish the fire.
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Efforts to reduce plastic waste
According to sources, Nestlé is responsible for around 95,000 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste annually across six developing nations. This waste is either burnt or dumped, contributing to environmental degradation and pollution. In recognition of this, the company has stated its commitment to making meaningful progress in sustainable packaging, aiming to make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 while reducing its use of virgin plastics by one-third during the same period.
While Nestlé has acknowledged the need to reduce plastic waste, it has been accused of "zero progress" by environmental campaigners. This highlights the importance of holding corporations accountable and taking concrete actions to address the plastic pollution crisis. Here are some efforts that can be made to reduce plastic waste and its impact on the oceans:
Education and Awareness:
Educating communities about the impact of plastic waste on the environment is essential. Initiatives like the Plastic-Free Challenge encourage individuals to learn about their plastic footprint and take steps to reduce plastic consumption.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics:
Single-use plastics are a significant contributor to plastic waste. Governments and businesses should discourage the use of single-use plastics and promote reusable alternatives. France, for example, has introduced a law banning plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, with a pledge to phase out all single-use plastics by 2040.
Improve Recycling Practices:
Recycling can help manage plastic waste, but it's important to increase recycling rates and improve recycling practices. This includes investing in local recycling operations, such as industrial recycling plants or supporting informal litter pickers in developing nations.
Global Coordination and Agreements:
Plastic pollution is a global issue that requires a coordinated approach. International conventions and treaties, such as the UN Environment Assembly's legally binding treaty, aim to address plastic production and recycling on a global scale.
Corporate Responsibility:
Corporations, including Nestlé, must take responsibility for their plastic waste. This involves reducing the use of virgin plastics, investing in reusable packaging, and ensuring proper waste management practices throughout their supply chain.
By combining these efforts and encouraging collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals, we can make significant progress in reducing plastic waste and mitigating its impact on the oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
Nestlé has been accused of producing half a million tonnes of plastic pollution in six developing countries each year. It is estimated that 95,000 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste is created by Nestlé annually across these nations.
Nestlé's plastic waste has been found to pollute waterways and oceans, with its non-recyclable sachets and single-use plastic packaging ending up in these environments.
Nestlé has stated that it is making meaningful progress in sustainable packaging and aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. The company is also working to improve recycling infrastructure and has joined initiatives such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy.
Nestlé's plastic pollution has been found to harm wildlife, people's health, and livelihoods. It endangers wildlife, threatens ecosystems, and can have negative consequences for the food chain.
There is public support for a Global Plastics Treaty to cut plastic production and advance reuse-based solutions. However, Nestlé has been accused of greenwashing, with activists calling for the company to reduce its plastic production and implement truly sustainable packaging solutions.
