Audit 2021 Citizen

science

Report Brand
2021

Audit
Authors: Amy Slack (Surfers Against Sewage) Sally
Menna Turner (SaltHub)
 ExeCutiv summA
e
drive corporate behaviour change.
RY
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) launched its flagship week of the Million Mile Clean from 11th May - 23rd May. As
part of this event, volunteers took part in a national brand audit, an important citizen science programme to

As the UK’s biggest coordinated beach clean event, over 50,000 For the Dirty Dozen companies, 52% of items would be captured
202 citizen scienc
volunteers took part in 600 cleans, covering 350,000 miles in total through an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) design. Over
1 audit
e
over the Million Mile flagship week. Of these volunteers, 3,917 80% of coca-cola’s
brand
report
walked and cleaned 11,139 miles of beaches, rivers, mountains packaging, the top polluter, is estimated to be captured through this
63% of all items monitored as part of the brand audit were
and more, submitting 377 brand audit data sets. A total of scheme.
unbranded. Cigarette butts were by far the biggest contributor at
26,983 items of packaging pollution were monitored as part of 01 ExeCutive
25% of the unbranded items. Although receiving considerable
the brand audit. summ ARY
The top 12 most polluting brands were responsible for 48% of all attention over the last 18 months, PPE only accounted for 2.5% of 02
packaging pollution monitored during the audit. There was little all pollution monitored through the audit. Whilst clearly an
intR
change in the most polluting brands of 2021 compared to 2019 emerging threat, it is important that this should not distract from 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
results with Coca-Cola, Walkers, McDonalds, Cadbury, Tesco, the significant amount of pollution caused by brands and their
04 the diRt
Lucozade, Costa Coffee, Mars Wrigley and Haribo all making repeat parent companies. Y dozen
This year’s brand audit shows that little has changed in terms of
appearances.
This year’s Dirty Dozen companies were responsible for a massive those responsible for the pollution on beaches, rivers, streets and 05 Polluting pRoduCts
65% of all branded items collected. Coca-Cola once again took the countryside. Despite the corporate promises and commitments 06 The potentiA
top spot with Pepsi-Co holding on to the second place. made, the plastic production and pollution tap is still not being l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
turned off. We need companies, and their brands, to stop peddling
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen some changes in the most sCheme
false solutions and instead focus on ways to meaningfully reduce gettin g polluteRs to
polluting brands and the Dirty Dozen companies. Brands such as 07
packaging production and pollution and adopt models of reuse and pAY
Stella Artois and Budweiser have moved up into the top 12 08 UnbRAnded p
refill. ollution
polluting brands with Anheauser-Bush InBev moving from eight to And we need to see governments introduce policies that are
third in the Dirty Dozen companies ranking. This is likely to be due proven to prevent pollution reaching the ocean. We need a 09 impACt the
to the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants increasing personal Deposit Return on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
alcohol consumption in public recreational settings during Scheme (DRS) that captures all sizes of containers of as wide a
lockdowns. range of materials as possible, not one limited to only ‘on-the-go’ tRends
Looking at the types of items found as part of the brand audit, it is 11 the
containers. We need to stop the dither and delay and get on with
estimated that almost 30% of all material monitored through the ConClusion
introducing an ‘all-in’ DRS NOW. 12 ou
brand audit would be captured by an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Join us to
R CAlls
Scheme. #RetuRnToOffendeR

2 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 EThECUTIVE
MARY
SUM

bRAn Audit gs
keY findin
d 9,998 The top 12 most
polluting brands are
item ded
bRAsnweRe Anded
responsible for

found lY % 48% of bR 202 citizen scienc

linked to 328 companies in on 2.5 of pollution oveRAll
pollut
ion ColleCted e
1 brand audit
total, and
26,938 These brands
were recorded overall
items
was categorised as PPE, despite
included... report
including both branded and receiving considerable media
CoCA-ColA wAlkeRs,
unbranded items attention over the last 18 months mCdo
-in’ , nAlds*, 01 ExeCutive
An ‘All dRs CAdbuRY
Tesco, Lucozade, Costa Coffee, Budweiser,
would Mars Wrigley, Stella Artois, Haribo* and summ ARY
Revent 02
p lf of the Aldi, and not much has changed over the
oveR hA past couple of years intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
Rep
oRte pollution 04 the diRt
3,
91 volunteeRs
d
from the Dirty Dozen Y dozen
companies
3 collected branded items 05 Polluting pRoduCts
AnheuseR-busC from
11,139
h bev 06 The potentiA
l foR A
in for the brand
miles
audit Deposit RetuRn
moved from position 8 in The Dirty Dozen
sCheme
2019 to position 3 in the Dirty Dozen companies are 07 gettin g polluteRs to
As one of the world’s largest brewers for beer, an responsible for pAY
CA-Col OveR 08 UnbRAnded p
Co increase in this alcohol brand’s pollution count
65% of All ollution
A
And
could represent how the public have enjoyed
bRAnde
outdoor recreational areas during the COVID-19
d pollution 09 impACt the
PepsiCo
remained at the top of the pandemic
Colle on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
Dirty Dozen leader board in
Cigarette butts, miscellaneous Cted
positions one and two in These included Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, tRends
plastic and bottles were found to
years 2019 and 2021 11 the
be the most prolific unbranded Anheuser-Busch InBev, McDonalds*,
ConClusion
This is despite continued promises items, accounting for Mondelez International, Heineken, Tesco, 12 ou
48% of ded R CAlls
and commitments to driving Carlsberg Group, Suntory, Haribo*, Mars
progress toward plastic waste pollRAn
unb and Aldi. These are all above the
reduction targets and stated ution oveRAll threshhold
ambitions to
for current EPR guidelines
3 build a circular
Surfers Against Sewageeconomy
2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 EThECUTIVE
MARY
SUM

intRo duCtio FiguRe 1

shows the numbeR of
bRAnd Audits submitted
This report presents the analysis of the brand audit ACRoss the UK duRing

n
data collected at locations across the UK, by
volunteers on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage
(SAS) during the Million Mile Clean 2021 flagship
the Million Mile CleAn
flAgship week

VolunteeRs 202 citizen scienc

week.
Scotland
submitted 1 audit
e
The flagship week of the Million Mile Clean 2021 ran from
11th - 23rd May 2021 with over 50,000 volunteers walking
audits)
(19
bRAnd brand
report
Audit
dAtA
and cleaning
350,000 miles. Of these volunteers, 3,913 took part in the UKs
fRom
BeAChes
biggest coordinated brand audit covering 11,139 miles of local ,RiveRs, 01 ExeCutive
beaches and other public recreational spaces across the UK. The North East
(18
stReets, summ ARY
audits) 02
brand audit is part of SAS’s national programme of citizen science pARks &
research mountAin intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
projects highlighting the major brands and parent s
(3
nd
companies contributing to the pollution at UK beaches,
Nortith ern Ire
la 04 the diRt
s)
aud
st (
24 Y dozen
parks, streets, rivers, mountains and more. We
h
odrtits)
Nu
a
Yorkshi
re (6
05 Polluting pRoduCts
26,983 items of pollution in total, including audits)

branded and unbranded items, were identified and 06 The potentiA

Audit l foR A
submitted. The subsequent analysis covered two levels ofbRAn 1 nds:
(11
Deposit RetuRn
DAt st Midla
A d fRom 3,9
West Eadi
au ts)
branding: 3 audits
)
Midla
nds sCheme
volunteeRs wAs
(9
07 gettin g polluteRs to
1. The brand of the product, and submitte fRom pAY
2. The parent company which owns the brand individuAl (29 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
d377 Wal es
audits)
Eastern England
(where applicable), defined as the main brand of CleAns ACRoss (15

a company or organisation which supports

audits)
09 impACt the
the uk on enviRonment
product or service subsidiaries by sharing its 10 Region & AReA
identity. Togethe
theY
R tRends
South Ea 11 the
All products were categorised into product-type which 26,98
ReCo 3
Rded audits)
st (69
ConClusion
enabled the subsequent classification of all branded of pollu
items tion 12 ou
South W
est (129
R CAlls
and unbranded items. audits)
(2
nds
Isla
This report identifies the Dirty Dozen companies at aitnsn)
el
Ch
aud
the source of the pollution chain and the breakdown
4 of polluting
Surfers Againstbrands.
SewageIn addition,
2021 the mapping
Citizen Science Brand of the
Audit Report
items
 Polluting BRAnd
26,983 items of pollution were collected in the
brand audit in total, including branded and
unbranded items.
s
Out of the total number of items found, 9,998 were identified as
FiguRe 3
Shows how the top polluting bRAnds hAve ChAnged
between 2019 And 2021 202 citizen scienc
branded and linked to 327 known brands. Of these, the top 12 20192021 1 audit
e
brands were identified as responsible for 48% of branded pollution brand
report
overall.
1 Coca-Cola - 1 Coca-Cola
Figure 2 shows the top 12 polluting brands identified from all 2 Walkers - 2 Walkers
collected items by volunteers. Top brands included Coca-Cola,
3 Cadbury 1 3 McDonalds
Walkers, McDonalds, Cadbury, Tesco, Lucozade, Costa Coffee, 01 ExeCutive
4 McDonalds 1 4 Cadbury summ ARY
Budweiser, Mars- Wrigley, Stella Artois, Haribo and Aldi, the number 02
of items of pollution collected and the percentage of pollution across 5 Nestlé 1 5 Tesco
intR
all brands found. Coca-Cola items were identified over three times 6 Lucozade -6 6 Lucozade ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
more than some of the other top polluting brands. 7 Mars-Wrigle 7 Costa
2 04 the diRt
y Coffee Y dozen
3
FiguRe 2 8
9
Haribo
Tesc
8 Budweiser
05 Polluting pRoduCts
4
Shows the top polluting bRAnds And the numbeR of items o 9 Mars-Wrigle
ColleCted 1 y 06 The potentiA
Coca-Cola - 10 Pepsi 81 l foR A
11 Heineken Deposit RetuRn
962 10 Stella Artois
Walkers -
694 12 Costa 1
5 sCheme
11 Haribo
McDonalds - Coffee 07 gettin g polluteRs to
530
Cadbury -
12 Aldi pAY
420
Figure 3 shows that the top two top polluting brands have not 08 UnbRAnded p
Tesco - changed position for two years years. This is despite both brands ollution
325
Lucozade - publicising their sustainability vision which includes making 09 impACt the
319
Costa Coffee - packaging 100% recyclable globally by 2025 and Walkers even on enviRonment
297
launching the UK’s first nationwide Crisp Packet Recycling Scheme
10 Region & AReA
Budweiser -
280
in 2018 announcing ‘hundreds’ of public collection points across the tRends
Mars-Wrigl
ey
26
5
11 the
UK to enable re-use.1
Stella 25
Whilst the pandemic may have impacted the popularity of a certain ConClusion
Artois 6 12 ou
Haribo - brand or product type, it is clear that there are familiar brands R CAlls
245
Aldi - appearing consistently year on year as top polluters and still not
219

1 A free and simple way to recycle Walkers crisp packets [online] www.walkers.co.uk.
enough is being done to address this at the source.
Available at www.walkers.co.uk/recycle [Accessed 13.07.2021]

5 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 POLLUTING
NDS
BRA

FiguRe 4
Shows the spReAd of the
polluting bRAnds ACRoss %
All bRAnded pollution 48
ColleCted 10

s: d
% 7%

Co
ot

RAn
ca-
202 citizen scienc

he

ke
5%

@C

al

t ng b
1 audit
e

rs W
R bR A n d s :
nal

la
@
Scotland: cDo
Coca-Cola
@M
ys
d@Cadbur 4 brand
report
@Tesc %

llu I
o@Lu
coz
e
@ ad
@Co Cost
er Buffde a
3%
we

@ rigtel lla
East:

M ey
W
@S ois ib
ei
3% 01 ExeCutive

A@

ar
s

rtHar
o@Ald

s
i
h Cola

Po
d: o rt
N oca-
Irelan C 3% summ ARY
02

52
rn
Norctah-e
Cola 3%

12
Co 3%

%
2% 3% intR
2%
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut

P
West:
rth-Cola
Noc
Yorkshire: to
Co a 04 the diRt
Rizla Y dozen
05 Polluting pRoduCts
s:
Midland
West M Easit 06 The potentiA
idlands Ald
Coca-Co : l foR A
la
Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
Eastern England:
Red 07 gettin g polluteRs to
Bull pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
Wa les:
Walkers 09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
South Ea
st:
South Coca-Cola tRends
West: 11 the
Coca-Cola FiguRe
5 Shows the most pRevAlent ConClusion
12 ou
: R CAlls
nds bRAnd of pollution found peR uk
Isla
l Region
nne la
Choaca-Co
C

6 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 The diRtY Doze
Many of the brands submitted through the brand audit
were owned by larger conglomerates with broad
brand portfolios. These companies have a direct
influence over the operations of its subsidiaries.
n Data obtained from 2019 revealed that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have
continued to occupy positions one and two in Dirty Dozen in 2021.
Interestingly AB InBev has moved up from position eight in 2019 to
position three in 2021. This is likely to be due to the COVID-19
202 citizen scienc
pandemic and the resulting closure of pubs, bars and restaurants 1 audit
e
Branded items were mapped to their parent companies, where increasing personal alcohol consumption in public settings. brand
report
applicable. Figure 6 shows that the top 12 companies, the ‘Dirty
Dozen’, were responsible for over 65% of all branded pollution
FiguRe 7
collected. 01 ExeCutive
Shows how the ‘DiRtY Dozen’ hAve ChAnged
Breaking this down further revealed that the top three most summ ARY
between 2019 And 2021 02
polluting companies were responsible for over 33% of all branded
pollution found: Coca-Cola; PepsiCo; and Anheuser-Bush InBev intR
20192021 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
(AB InBev). The top three of the Dirty Dozen, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo
and AB InBev, were responsible for over 33% of all branded 1 Coca-Cola - 1 Coca-Cola 04 the diRt
Y dozen
pollution found.
2 PepsiCo - 2 PepsiCo
05 Polluting pRoduCts
3 Mondelez 2 3 AB InBev
FiguRe 6 06 The potentiA
l foR A
4 McDonalds - 4 McDonalds Deposit RetuRn
Shows the top thRee diRtY dozen eACRoss
ms All pollution
ed it d 5 Nestlé 8 5 Mondelez sCheme
bran
he r 07 gettin g polluteRs to
All,4o7t2) 6 Suntory 3 6 Heineken
(3 pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
7 Mars 4 7 Tesco
Cola, PepsiCo
33 Coca InBev 8 AB InBev 5 8 Carlsberg Group 09 impACt the
35 and user-Busch
Anhe on enviRonment
(3,293) 10 Region & AReA
% % 9 Haribo 1 9 Suntory tRends
10 Heineken 4 10 Haribo 11 the
11 4 11 ConClusion
32 Rest of the Dirt
yD Tesco Mars
12 ou
R CAlls
(3,233) ozen N/A
% 12 AMS Sourcing 12 Aldi

7 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 THE DIRTY
N
DOZE

FiguRe 8
Shows the spReAd of the DiRtY Dozen ACRoss
All bRAnded pollution ColleCted

202 citizen scienc

1 audit
e

o
th brand
report
16
e

l
R

-Co
01 ExeCutive
:

summ ARY
02

oca
3

intR
9%

@C
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
5 %

iC
eps

a
@P 04 the diRt
Y dozen
o
@AB 05 Polluting pRoduCts

i s
I
@ nBev
M
cD
8% 06 The potentiA
Deposit RetuRn
l foR A
@
on
s

sCheme
Al
@

al
o
@

d
y untor
@

d
@

M
M

z Hein

g polluteRs to
n
@S

07 gettin
g
Ha

@Tesc
ar

o
@

on

5%
Carls
rib

pAY
de

2
eke

08 UnbRAnded p
le

ollution
ber

% 3
% 3 5% 09 impACt the
% 3 3% 4% on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
%
5 %
dI 4%
6 tRends
11 the
Rt Y
do z e n :
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

8 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 THE DIRTY
N
DOZE

WhAt mAkes up the DiRtY Dozen?

The following figure shows the detailed breakdown of brands for all items falling within these top
three parent companies and the categories of the types of pollution submitted as part of the
brand audit.

FiguRe 9 202 citizen scienc

Shows the bRAnds And CAtegoRies within the top 3 diRtY dozen 1 audit
e
brand
CocA-Col
CoCA-Col PeP
Pepsic
siC A inbev
AB report
Sma
r
(31) t Wate
A 2%
ands
oo
2% ith
s
Sm 4) 2%
B v 2%
<1%
Other br
Dr ands
r
4% (71)
Pepper
(30)
(1
Other br
ands Becks Other br
(3)
01 ExeCutive
3% (18)
Fanta (18) summ ARY
(65) 4% 7Up
(55)
6% Budw 02
9%
Foste
(116
)
rs
14 (280)
eiser
Monster
9% % intR
(140)
Coca-Cola Pepsi
(84)
W
alkers
34 ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
(962) (694)

19 19 % 04 the diRt
a Coff
ee
61 78% % Y dozen
Co9st
(2 7) % a
% (
ron
C1o59)
31 Stella Artois 05 Polluting pRoduCts
(256)

% 06 The potentiA
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
CCooCCA P e PP
P e AB inbev sCheme
- CAtegoRie
C o l Rie CAt
CAtegoiC o
s ego
A -CAtego
C ol s i CRie CAtegoRie 07 gettin g polluteRs to
A ss s 1 o s pAY
A %
4%
08 UnbRAnded p
9%
20% ollution
19
% 100 09 impACt the
68%
79% % on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
Sports / Sports / tRends
Soft Drink
(1,067)
Energy
Food Packaging
(708)
Energy Alcohol
(832)
11 the
Drink (143) Drink (7)
Café / Fast Water Bottle Soft Drink ConClusion
(59) (180) 12 ou
Food Brand
(297)
R CAlls

9 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 Polluting PRoduCt
• Tobacco Product •
s
In order to understand the types of products polluting the
environment, pollution was grouped into 16 product categories
which were:
Store Brand
As shown in Figure 10, aside from the miscellaneous items
submitted (ranging from car batteries to tyres), items categorised
as Tobacco products were most prevalent which included cigarette
butts and packaging. This was closely followed by the category
202 citizen scienc
• Drink (unbranded) • PPE ‘Drink’, which covers all unbranded drink related packaging such 1 audit
e
• Alcohol • Sports / Energy Drink as bottle lids, bottle top, plastic cups and bottles. brand
report
• Soft Drink • Water Bottle
• Toiletries • Clothing Brand
FiguRe 10
• Food Packaging • Dairy
Shows the CAtegoRies of unbRAnded pollution ColleCted 01 ExeCutive
summ ARY
• Confectionery • Miscellaneous 02
Miscellaneous
Wrapper 20.6%
• Café / Fast Food intR
• Fishing Gear Brand
Tobacco ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
15.6%
Drink
11.2% 04 the diRt
Y dozen
These were then grouped further into six parent categories which Alcohol
8.2%
were:
Toiletries
05 Polluting pRoduCts
lth & 7.1%
06 The potentiA
Hea Soft Drink
l foR A
Medical 6.9%
Deposit RetuRn
& Toiletrie
Food
Packagin 6.6%
sCheme
Food s PPE
g

Drink Store Confectionery

Wrappe 5.6%
07 gettin g polluteRs to
Brand r pAY
Drink Fishing Gear
08 UnbRAnded p
(unbranded Tobatcc Store 4.3% ollution
Brand
o uc
Café / Fast
) Alcohol Prod Food
Soft Drink Tobacco
4.1%
Brand 09 impACt the
Product
Store Brand
3.8% on enviRonment
Food
Clothing 10 Region & AReA
Packaging 2.5%
Brand PPE
Confectionery Sports tRends
Wrapper Sports /
Clothing / Energy 1.5
%
11 the
Brand Drink
Energy Drink Water Miscellaneous ConClusion
Water 1.3 12 ou
Bottle
Bottle %
R CAlls
Miscellaneou
Clothing 0.4
Dairy s Fishing Brand %

Café / Fast Food Gear Dair 0.1

y %
Brand

10 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 POLLUTING
DUCTS
PRO

Fishing geAR 202 citizen scienc

Pollution e
1 brand audit
report
Fishing gear (Ghost gear) accounts for only 8.6% of
all pollution collected at beach locations, despite 01 ExeCutive
receiving increased media attention over the past summ ARY
02
year with the release of documentaries including
Seaspiracy. intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
However, with an estimated 640,000 tonnes of lost or discarded
gear entering our oceans each year2, this remains a key threat to
04 the diRt
Y dozen
the health of the oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife. As this
material is often lost or discarded at sea, it can be assumed that
05 Polluting pRoduCts
much of this material will remain within the ocean rather than 06 The potentiA
l foR A
being washed up onto beaches. Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution

09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

2 Fishing’s phantom menace How ghost fishing gear is endangering our sea life. World Animal Protection [online]
https://www.worldanimalprotection.org Available at
/sites/default/files/media/int_files/sea-change-campaign-tackling-ghost-fishing-gear_0.pdf [Accessed 13.07.2021]

11 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 EThECUTIVE
POLLUTING
MARY
SUMDUCTS
PRO

PPE Pollution 202 citizen scienc

1
brand
audit
e
Notably, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was report
found to account for only 2.5% of overall pollution
collected within the UK locations cited within the
brand audit. 01 ExeCutive
This is surprising, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has summ ARY
02
dramatically increased the use of this type of plastic product
intR
that can harm the environment and result in significant waste 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
management challenges.
In response to high PPE demand among the general public, health
04 the diRt
Y dozen
care workers, and service workers as the pandemic started,
single-use face mask production in China soared to 116 million per
05 Polluting pRoduCts
The World Health Organization had also reported a 40% escalation
day in February 2020, 12 times more than previously required. 3 06 The potentiA
of disposable PPE production.4 It has been estimated that if the l foR A
global population were to use one disposable face mask per day Deposit RetuRn
after lockdown ended, the pandemic could easily result in 129 billion
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
face masks and 65 billion gloves per month being consumed and pAY
subsequently disposed of, which is shocking.5 It’s now been over a 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
year since the start of the pandemic and reports do indeed reflect
increased observations of PPE at cleanups 09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
3 F. Bermingham, S.-L. Tan, “Coronavirus: China’s mask-making juggernaut cranks into gear, 5 J. C. Prata, A. L. Patrício Silva, T. R. Walker, A. C. Duarte, T. Rocha Santos, Environ. Sci. Tech.
ConClusion
sparking fears of over-reliance on world’s workshop,” South China Morning Post (2020); [online] (2020), [online: pubs.acs.org] 54, 7760, Available at: 12 ou
www.scmp.com https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.0c02178 [Accessed: 27.06.2021] R CAlls
Available at
www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3074821/coronavirus-chinas-mask-making- 6 Assessing PPE Pollution’s Impact on the Ocean, MARCH 30, 2021, [online] oceanconservancy.org
juggernaut-cranks-gear
4 Shortage [Accessed
of personal protective 13.07.2021]
equipment endangering health workers worldwide (WHO, 2020). Available at oceanconservancy.org/blog/2021/03/30/assessing-ppe-pollutions-impact-ocean/
[online] https://www.who.int Available at [Accessed 13.07.2021]
https://www.who.int/news/item/03-03-2020-shortage-of-personal-
protective-equipment-endangering-health-workers-worldwide [Accessed 13.07.2021]
12 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 POLLUTING
DUCTS
PRO

The pollution fRom the

FiguRe
DiRtY Dozen thAt wAs 11 CAtegoRies And PARent
submitted thRough the CAtegoRies foR All of the diRtY
dozen
bRAnd Audit lARgelY
<1%
Consisted of the pARent Miscellaneous:
202 citizen scienc
CAtegoRY ‘Food & nd: 9%
1 audit
e
to
Re bRA brand
report
DRink’ At oveR 90%. s <1
%
This was made up of the sub-categories 9%
1

BrMiscellaneou
Alcohol, Soft Drinks, Confectionery Wrappers, 2%% 01 ExeCutive
Café / Fast Food Brand, Food Packaging, 24 summ ARY

and
02

e
Stor
Almost a quarter of and
the Water
Dirty Bottles.
Dozen’s

at tle
gy

er

s
Sports / Energy Drinks %

ho
W ot
er

B
En
pollution was from alcohol packaging, cans intR

co
11

/
ing bRAnds
oduCtion

ornk
ts
03 Pollut
g in

Al
kag

SDpri
and bottles, and a further 24% was that of Pac
%

l
o d
fo
soft drinks. Bra 04 the diRt
Thismay correspond to increased public Ca nd Y dozen
fé
/F
use of outdoor recreational spaces during
05 Polluting pRoduCts

Wr
ast

Co
Fo
the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. S

app
od
D oft

nfe
06 The potentiA

er
13

c
ri l foR A

t
nk

ion

91%
% Deposit RetuRn

er
y
24 sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
% pAY
15 08 UnbRAnded p

k:
ollution
%
Rin 09 impACt the
Fo od & D on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

13 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 EThECUTIVE
POLLUTING
MARY
SUMDUCTS
PRO

ss bottle
glA 202 citizen scienc

Pollution e
1 brand audit
report
Glass Bottles have just as big an impact
on the environment as plastic ones,
01 ExeCutive
due to the energy required to ARY
summ
02
manufacture it.
In addition, the fragile nature of glass means that it intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
can often break when in the environment causing
serious risk of injury to both humans and 04 the diRt
Y dozen
wildlife.Capturing these products for recycling before
they enter the environment is one of many ways in 05 Polluting pRoduCts
which pollution and waste can 06 The potentiA
l foR A
be reduced. 7
Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution

09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

7 Brock, A. and Williams, I.D., LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BEVERAGE PACKAGING (05 Oct 2020) [online: www.gov.uk/defra]. Available at:
https://digital. detritusjournal.com/articles/in-press/life-cycle-assessment-of-beverage-packaging/368 [Accessed 13.07.2021]

14 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 POLLUTING
DUCTS
PRO

FiguRe 12
Shows the most pRevAlent bRAnds in eACh pARent
CAtegoRY

Food & DRink StoRe TobACC PRoduC

323 t
202 citizen scienc
8,497 BRAnd o
Items Items 1 audit
e
Coc
a-C
ol
O
the
1,000 Items sc
Te O
the
brand
report
a r o r
11 Walker Swa
O
the % 8% s 26 n
r
33 33 37%
6% % 01 ExeCutive
s
Mc
Do
nal % % summ ARY
d 02
74% 16
13 22 % 21 intR
Aldi 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
% Rizl
Asd % son
& % a
a Ben es 04 the diRt
Hed
g Y dozen
05 Polluting pRoduCts

HeAlth 06 The potentiA

MisCellAneou & Clothing bRAn Deposit RetuRn
l foR A

s 92 15 d sCheme
Items MediCAl Items 07 gettin g polluteRs to
71 Items pa Ot ar pAY
Oth
e BIC Tam r
he Prim 08 UnbRAnded p
r k ollution
x
25% O
the 30 27%
35% r 33 09 impACt the
39 % on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
% %
21 20 tRends
20 23 11 the
% National 8% Slazeng
20 ConClusion
Leg
% % Pa % Adida
12 ou
o
Lottery
e mp
er % s R CAlls
Dur s er
x

15 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 the potentiAl foR A
etuRn
deposit R
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a system where consumers pay an up-front deposit on an item (such as a
202 citizen scienc
sealed drink), at point of purchase, which is redeemed on return of the empty drinks container. In other words,

sCheme
you’re buying the contents, but renting the container, obtaining a deposit back on it’s return.

This means that high-quality plastic material is kept ‘in the loop’ In 2018, the Government committed to the introduction of a DRS
1
brand
report
audit
e

and is much easier to recycle into different products, reducing the for drinks containers in England, a commitment further set out in
number of new bottles or drinks containers needing to be made the 2019 Conservative party manifesto.9
01 ExeCutive
from virgin
summ ARY
material.8 DRS systems are a proven way to capture material through 02
“We need to woRk with business to mAke deposit
a circular system and dramatically increase recycling and reuse. RetuRn sChemes As effeCtive As possible And I intR
Recycling rates of over 90% are common in well-designed and all-in 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
believe An ‘All-in’ model will give ConsumeRs the
Deposit Return Schemes. gReAtest possible inCentive to ReCYCle.” 04 the diRt
Y dozen
Michael Gove MP, former Secretary of State for the
Environment. 16th July 2019, Kew Gardens 05 Polluting pRoduCts
PRimARY Aims of the pRoposed
06 The potentiA
Deposit RetuRn SCheme ARe: The powers to implement a DRS are now being set out in the
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
Environment Bill currently going through parliament. This scheme sCheme
• Reducing the amount of included drinks container
packaging ending up as pollutants in the environment
looks to include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, 07 gettin g polluteRs to
glass bottles, and steel and aluminium cans. pAY
• Increasing recycling levels for included drinks 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
container packaging In 2019 and 2021, consultations on the scope of a DRS in
• Introducing better quality recycled packaging which can England and Wales included consideration of an ‘all-in’ scheme 09 impACt the
be collected in greater quantities with improved where drinks containers of all sizes would be included; and an on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
labelling and consumer messaging to further promote ‘on-the-go’ system which would be limited to drinks containers
recycling, moving towards a more circular economy. less than 750ml. tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

16 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 N
DEPOSIT RETUR
SCHEME
By categorising brands into product
figuRe 14
categories, an assessment regarding the 29% of totAl
numbeR of items ColleCted fRom the
likely impact
diRtY dozen thAt would be CoveRed items ColleCted
that an ‘all-in’ DRS might have on
prevention of pollution entering the
bY An All-in dRs As pARt of the
environment can be made. Looking at 2021 bRAnd
material categories, it is assumed that up DRS
Ite 94s)
,3m
Audit, 202 citizen scienc
to one third of the categories primarily (3
equAting to 7,857
include items that would be covered
48% 52
1 audit
e
within the scope of an ‘all-in’ DRS. This items of pollution, brand
report
would %
be considerably less for an ‘on-the-go’ S
Could hAve
-DR
Non 2s)
scheme. Whilst there is some degree of ,1
(I3te
m3 been CAptuRed
error as there may be items that are 01 ExeCutive
bY An ‘All-in’ summ ARY
included in material categories but 02
excluded from the DRS scope and vice Figure 15 shows that 73% of all items deposit RetuRn
intR
versa, analysis of these material categories
figuRe 13
found from the top three Dirty Dozen sCheme, 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
provides a good indication of the likely companies would be captured through providing a huge missed
numbeR of items thAt would 10be an ‘all-in’ DRS. opportunity for 04 the diRt
impact an ‘all-in’ DRS would have. Y dozen
CoveRed bY An All-in dRs ACRoss All increasing
The introduction of an ‘all-in’ DRS would
pollution ColleCted recycling rates and 05 Polluting pRoduCts
have a significant impact on pollution from
coca-cola and AB-InBev in particular, decreasing the
06 The potentiA
capturing 81% and 100% of products amount of l foR A
S
DR 7s)
5
,8m pollutants entering Deposit RetuRn
(I7te respectively.
Non-
DRS 29 figuRe 15 sCheme
the ocean.
(I1te
9,0
m8s1
) % numbeR of items ColleCted fRom 07 gettin g polluteRs to
the top 3 diRtY dozen thAt would pAY
71 be CoveRed bY An All-in dRs
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
%
Non-DRS
09 impACt the
It99
(8 em)s
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
27%
tRends
8 What We Waste, April 2021, Reloop, [online]
https://www.reloopplatform. org/ Available at:
11 the
https://www.reloopplatform.org/wp-content/ ConClusion
uploads/2021/04/What-We-Waste-Reloop-Report-April-2021-1.pdf
[Accessed 13.07.2021]
73% 12 ou
R CAlls
9 The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2019, [online: DRS
https:// www.conservatives.com/our-plan], Available at: It,3
(2 em88s)
https://assets-
global.website-files.com/5da42e2cae7ebd3f8bde353c/5dda924
905da587992a064ba_Conservative%202019%20Manifesto.pdf
[Accessed: 27.06.2021].
10 Consultation on Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme in England,
1 Wales and Northern Ireland. Second Consultation [online]
7 www.gov.uk/ defra. Available at:
 Getting polluteRs to pA
Y
Currently, producers only pay for around 10% of the costs of disposing of their products. The Government is
currently considering introducing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in 2023 that will see
producers take responsibility for 100% of the costs of managing, recycling, and disposal of their packaging 202 citizen scienc
waste, with higher fees being levied if packaging is harder to reuse or recycle. 11
1 audit
e
Current EPR guidelines state that packaging producers who
have a turnover exceeding £2 million must register and meet
All companies linked with the largest shares of the items found in
the brand audit have an annual turnover of far greater than £2
brand
report
their waste packaging recycling and recovery responsibilities million, putting them above the de-minimis threshold for
which help to: companies obligated under the current EPR guidelines.

• Reduce the amount of packaging produced in It is evident from this report that the vast majority of branded
01 ExeCutive
summ ARY
the first place items collected as part of the brand audit are linked to companies 02
obligated under the existing system of producer responsibility.
• Reduce how much packaging waste goes to landfill intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
• Increase the amount of packaging waste that’s recycled and
figuRe 16 04 the diRt
recovered12 Y dozen
shows the peRCentAge of the diRtY dozen
These are in addition to waste duty of care rules all businesses who ARe Above the thReshold foR epR 05 Polluting pRoduCts
must follow which include methods to:
06 The potentiA
• Keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste (in that sCheme
e EPR
order) Abov hold gettin g polluteRs to
re2s6h 07
(T6h,5
) pAY
• Sort and store waste safely and securely It ms
e
08 UnbRAnded p
• Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that 100 ollution
leaves your premises
% 09 impACt the
• Check if your waste carrier is registered to on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
dispose of waste
• Not allow the waste carrier to dispose of your waste tRends
11 the
illegally (and report them to Crimestoppers if this is the ConClusion
12 ou
case)
11 Policy 13 Environment Bill summer policy statement: (July 2019), [online: www.gov.
paper-
uk]. Available at:
12 Producer responsibility regulations, (updated 16 February 2021), [online: www. R CAlls
gov.uk]. Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-environment-principles- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/producer-responsibility-regulations
and-governance-bill-2018/environment-bill-summer-policy-statement-july-2019 [Accessed 13.07.2021]
[Accessed 13.07.2021] 13 Dispose of business or commercial waste, (updated 16 February 2021), [online:
www.gov.uk]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview
[Accessed 13.07.2021]
18 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 TERS TO
GETTING POLLU
PAY

diRtY dozens’ tuRnove

Many of the Dirty Dozen represent some of the largest
companies in the world. R
Figure 17 shows the annual turnover of each of the Dirty Dozen for the year 2020 14. When compared to the amount of pollution collected 202 citizen scienc
for each,
Figure 18 shows that the most polluting companies do not correspond to the highest turnover. 1 audit
e
brand
report
figuRe 17 turnover 2020 in usd $
shows the 2020 $0 $25Bn $50Bn $75Bn $100Bn
TuRnoveR in 01 ExeCutive
Ald
USD foR the i summ ARY
diRtY dozen 02
PepsiC
CompAnies intR
o AB 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
InBev 04 the diRt
Y dozen
Mondelez
Coca-Col
International 05 Polluting pRoduCts
aHeineke
06 The potentiA
n l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
Suntor sCheme
y 07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
Mar 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
s Carlsberg
09 impACt the
Group on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
14 Mondelez Revenue 2006-2021 | MDLZ,McDonalds
(2021), [online: www.macrotrends.net] Available at: Earnings, (February 12, 2021), [online: www.suntory.com] Available at: tRends
https://www. macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MDLZ/mondelez/revenue [Accessed 12.07.21]. https://www.suntory.com/about/ financial/pdf/ comment_202012.pdf [Accessed 12.07.21]. 11 the
Tesc
Heineken N V reports 2020 full year results and shares updates on EverGreen strategic review, HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG, (2021) ,[online: www.dnb.com] Available at: ConClusion
(2021) [online: www.globenewswire. com] Available at: https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.haribo_gmbh 12 ou
o
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/10/2172786/0/en/ Heineken-N- co_kg.113844e45499ea6f73c7df909b32db62.html [Accessed 12.07.21]. Net sales of the leading R CAlls
V-reports[…]ults-and-shares-updates-on-EverGreen-strategic-review. html [Accessed 12.07.21]. confectionery companies worldwide in 2020, (2021),[online: www.statista.com] Available at:
Tesco Net Income 2006- 2021 | TSCDY, (2021),
Harib [online: www.macrotrends.net] Available at: https://www. statista.com/
https://www.macrotrends. net/stocks/charts/ TSCDY/tesco/net-income [Accessed 12.07.21]. Global statistics/252097/net-sales-of-the-leading-10-confectionery-companies-worldwide/ [Accessed
net revenue of Carlsberg from 2012 to 2020, (2021), [online: www.statista.com] Available at: 12.07.21]. Full Year Results (2021), [online: www.Nestlé.com] Available at:
o
https://www.statista. com/statistics/741358/ carlsberg-net-revenue-worldwide/ [Accessed https://www.Nestlé.com/media/ pressreleases/allpressreleases/full-year-results-2020 [Accessed
12.07.21]. Suntory Holdings Limited Summary on FY2020 12.07.21]
19 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 TERS TO
GETTING POLLU
PAY

When compared to the amount of pollution collected for each, Figure 18 shows that the most polluting companies do not
correspond to the highest turnover.

figuRe 18
shows the 2020 TuRnoveR
vs items ReCoRded foR the 202 citizen scienc
diRtY dozen CompAnies
tuRnoveR 2020 in usd
1 audit
e
brand
report
$0 $25Bn $ $75Bn $100Bn

Coca Cola $50Bn

PepsiC
01 ExeCutive
o Anheuser-Busch summ ARY
02
InBev intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
McDonald
04 the diRt
Y dozen
s Mondelez
05 Polluting pRoduCts
International
06 The potentiA
l foR A
Heineken Deposit RetuRn
Tesc sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
o Carlsberg pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
Group
09 impACt the
Suntor on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
y
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
tRends
11 the
Harib
NumbeR of items ColleCted ConClusion
12 ou
o R CAlls

Mars

Aldi
20 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 unbRAnde Pollution
dUnbranded items collected, i.e items where a brand was unidentifiable, were a significant proportion of the
pollutants across the locations identified for which a brand audit was completed, exceeding the number of
branded items found. The total number of unbranded items was 16,940 (63% of the total of items found!). 202 citizen scienc
1 audit
e
Unbranded items collected included clothing, straws, sweet
wrappers, bottle lids, bottles, plastic cups, fishing gear, nets and
Of the unbranded items data submitted,
miscellaneous plastic and bottles were found to be most prolific
cigarette butts,
brand
report
ropes, cans, crisp packets, carrier bags, miscellaneous plastic, accounting for 48% of unbranded pollution overall.
facemasks, cigarette butts and wet wipes.
01 ExeCutive
FiguRe 19 summ ARY
02
Shows the top 12 most pRevAlent unbRAnded FiguRe 20
item tYpes submitted thRough the bRAnd Audit intR
Shows CAtegoRies foR unbRAnded pollution 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
fRom the bRAnd Audit
04 the diRt
Ny
Y dozen
(3 lo
98 n
) R
op
PP
E( d 05 Polluting pRoduCts
Cris e 2% Bag
s Foo
dP 67 <1 Bran
p
(485 Packe Poo (82
4) ackag
7) g
Face ) ts D o g
ing % Clothin 06 The potentiA
) (84)
(556
M
3% (330 ts
l foR A
) asks 3% ut 4% Deposit RetuRn
te B
t
are Fishing
5%
Bottle 4% Cig 25) Gear
eo us sCheme
Lids (1,163)
(727) (3 ,7
ellan
5% 7% Misc ) g polluteRs to
Bottle 25 (5,45
4 07 gettin
(769)
Tops
5%
% 32 08 UnbRAnded p
pAY
11 ollution
opes
6% iletries
To,8
(1 46) % %
ing R 09 impACt the
Fi8s5h6)
( Plast
7% i
on enviRonment
neous
21 (3,16 c - Mis
3) cella
neou 18 10 Region & AReA
Miscella
per -
Pa,0
(1 21)
9% %
s
% 23
11 Toba tRends
s
tt9le5) % We nk
D3r,i000)
% c
(3,89 co
2)
11 the
Bo
1,2
t
(1,6 Wi
( ConClusion
( 64) pes 12 ou
R CAlls

21 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 EThECUTIVE
UNBRANDED
MARY
SUM
LUTION
POL

Abit 202 citizen scienc

KiCk the h 1
brand
audit
e
Given that billions of cigarettes are sold to report
wholesalers and retailers nationwide, it’s no
surprise that cigarette butts are one of the
highest pollutants globally. 01 ExeCutive
summ ARY
Cigarette butts are often disposed of in the 02
environment, on streets, pavements, and other public
intR
areas, and may then be carried as runoff to drains and 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
ultimately end up polluting rivers, beaches and oceans.
04 the diRt
The butts are primarily made up of plastic filters that Y dozen
don’t biodegrade, the butts that aren’t
05 Polluting pRoduCts
eaten by wildlife simply pile up on shorelines or at the
bottom of waterbodies. The problem extends to 06 The potentiA
l foR A
e-cigarettes which have more than doubled in sales over Deposit RetuRn
recent years. E-cigarette cartridges are single use sCheme
products that contain plastic, electronic and chemical 07 gettin g polluteRs to
waste that also too often end up as pollutants. A survey pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
by Keep Britain Tidy found that less than ollution
half of smokers know that cigarettes contain plastic.
09 impACt the
Meanwhile one in ten smokers do not consider cigarettes enviRonment
on
to be litter and another one in ten believe that they are 10 Region & AReA
biodegradable.15 tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

15 Tobacco industry to blame for polluted waterways and death of marine life, 1 May 2019, [online] https://ash.org.uk/ Available at:
https://ash.org.uk/media-and-news/ blog/tobacco-polluted-waterways-marine-death/ [Accessed 13.07.2021]

22 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 UNBRANDED
LUTION
POL

When looking at branded and unbranded pollution as a whole,

Figure 21 shows how it is distributed across parent
categories.

FiguRe 21
Shows pARent CAtegoRies foR unbRAnded And
bRAnded pollution fRom the bRAnd Audit
whAt needs to
Stor / Cl
othi
ng
hAppen 202 citizen scienc
e
1 brand audit
now?
e d
(1,03 Bran <1 Bran
0) d hing Steps have been taken to address
% C9lo9t)
Health
(2,594)
& Med
ical
4%
(
single-use and pointless plastic over the report
10 last few years.
%
Bans have been introduced on microbeads; charges put in
01 ExeCutive
Produc
t 16 46 Food
& Drink place on plastic bags have seen supermarket sales of summ ARY
bacco
To,2 %
(12,291)
single- use plastic bags by 95%; and most recently sale 02
(4 15)
% and supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds has intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
25% been prohibited.16 So why can’t more be done? Further
eous change is urgently required to further reduce single-use 04 the diRt
lan Y dozen
cel)
M6i,s709 products and plastic production, models of reuse need to
(
be adopted; and more of what is used needs to be 05 Polluting pRoduCts
effectively recyclable. Across Europe, more action is being
06 The potentiA
taken on single-use plastics through the Single Use Plastics l foR A
Directive which came into force in July 2021, and Wales Deposit RetuRn
and Scotland are taking the lead in the UK in adopting sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
progressive policies that tackle single use. England risks
pAY
being left behind if it does not take decisive action in 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
adopting more progressive single use plastic policies.
09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls
16 Consultations launched for major waste sector reforms, Defra Press Office, (25 March 2021)
[online: deframedia.blog.gov.uk] Available at: deframedia.blog.gov.
uk/2021/03/25/consultations- launched-for-major-waste-sector-reforms/ [Accessed
13.07.2021]

23 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 UNBRANDED
LUTION
POL

heR ChAnge
FuRt ntlY
isuRge
RequiRed pRo
single-use to 202 citizen scienc

Asti duCts
oduCtio
1
brand
audit
e

&fuRtheR
pl R
pR report
C neduCe 01 ExeCutive
summ ARY
02
intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
04 the diRt
Y dozen
05 Polluting pRoduCts
06 The potentiA
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution

09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

24 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
impAC on the r eturn to
offender
tEnviRonme
8 billion containers are
wasted every year that
could be captured by an
arctic
intruders
nt
‘all-in’ Deposit Return
It is estimated that 8-13 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean
Scheme.21
every year and 80% of man-made debris in the marine Scientists have recently
environment originated on land before being thrown, blown or discovered microplastics
embedded deep in the Arctic
washed into rivers, canals and the seas.17
Ice.22
Pollutants found on the beach are often washed down rivers and
drains originating from towns and cities. They can also result from
industry spills, shipping containers or lost fishing gear, badly
managed
landfill sites and overflowing or unsheltered bins near
the coast. Some have even been flushed down the
loo.18
Blemishe
dBeaches killer
Approx 5,000 items of marine
plastic pollution have been pollution
found per mile of beach in the 100,000 marine mammals
UK.19 and turtles and 1 million
seabirds are killed by marine
plastic pollution annually.23

micro plastics

Plastic massiv
Pollution proble
Every day, approximately 8
million pieces of plastic
em
Plastics consistently make up 80% of all
marine debris studied.24 There may be now
around 5.25 trillion macro and microplastic
pollution find their way into the
pieces
oceans.20
floating in the open ocean,
weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.25

17 Deposit Return Scheme, Marine Conservation Society, [online: www.mcsuk.org]
Available at: https://www.mcsuk.org/ocean-emergency/ocean-pollution/ deposit-
return-schemes/ [Accessed 13.07.2021]
18 Plastic Pollution- Facts and Figures, SAS, [online: www.sas.org.uk], Available at:
https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/plastic-pollution-facts-figures/
[Accessed 13.07.2021]
19 Plastic Pollution- Facts and Figures, SAS, [online: www.sas.org.uk], Available at:
https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/plastic-pollution-facts-figures/
[Accessed 13.07.2021]
20 Verschoor, A assisted by Herwijnen, R., Posthuma, C., Klesse, K., and Werner, S.
(2017). Assessment document of land-based inputs of microplastics in the marine
environment. Environmental Impact of Human Activities Series, [online: www.ospar.
org] Publication 705/2017, Available at: https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=38018
[Accessed: 27.06.2021].
21 What We Waste, April 2021, Reloop, [online] https://www.reloopplatform.org/
Available at: https://www.reloopplatform.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/What-We-
Waste-Reloop-Report-April-2021-1.pdf [Accessed 13.07.2021]
22 Kelly, A., Lannuzel, D., Rodemann, T., Meiners, K.M., Auman, H.J., (May 2020),
Microplastic contamination in east Antarctic sea ice, Marine Pollution Bulletin,
[online: www.sciencedirect.com] Volume 154, Available at: https://www.
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X20302484?via%3Dihub
[Accessed: 27.06.2021]
23 Facts and figures on marine pollution, [online: www.unesco.org], Available at: http://
www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/ioc-oceans/focus-areas/rio-20-ocean/
blueprint-for-the-future-we-want/marine-pollution/facts-and-figures-on-marine-
pollution/ [Accessed: 27.06.2021]
24 “Close the Plastic Tap” Programme, [online: www.iucn.org], Available at: https://
www.iucn.org/theme/marine-and-polar/our-work/close-plastic-tap-programme
[Accessed: 27.06.2021]
25 Eriksen ,M., Lebreton, C.M.L., Carson, H.S., Thiel, M., Moore, C.J., Borerro, J.C.,
Galgani, F., Ryan, P.G., Reisser, J., (Dec 10, 2014), Plastic Pollution in the World’s
Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at
Sea, PLoS ONE [online: journals.plos.org], 9(12): e111913, Available at: https://
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111913 [Accessed:
27.06.2021]
 Region & ARe tRend
A
s
Across the UK, the quantity of pollution items collected per region increased, seemingly in line with the
expected engaged audience for SAS, with the majority of items being submitted in the South West and
South East regions of the UK. 202 citizen scienc
1 audit
e
Pollution data was collected from six location types including:
Beaches, Mountains, Parks, Streets and Rivers. Beaches were the
Figure 23 shows that a significant proportion of polluting
packaging is found on land at locations where items can be
brand
report
most commonly surveyed area. Figure 22 shows the number of washed down stream or down drains to the sea.
cleans at each location type and the number of items of pollution
collected at each. 01 ExeCutive
FiguRe 22 FiguRe 23 summ ARY
02
Shows the numbeR of CleAns At eACh tYpe of Shows the AveRAge numbeR of items peR CleAn
loCAtion intR
ACRoss eACh loCAtion 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion

04 the diRt
Y dozen
n Mo
1 tai u
(28 ntain
un 05 Polluting pRoduCts
Park % M3o) )
(
(27)
er
Riv )
06 The potentiA
Rive
O
th 7% l foR A
(31)
r 8% (62) er (10
9
Deposit RetuRn
10 15 26 07
sCheme
gettin g polluteRs to
Beach
)
% (188 % % pAY
er 10 08 UnbRAnded p
Oth ollution
(33)
% 58% Beach
(68) 16
19 09 impACt the
13 % Stre
et on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
ee
t
% 18 % (78)
S(t4r1) tRends
k
P7a4r)
% 11 the
( ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

2 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

6 Audit Report
 REGION & AREA
Figure 24 shows TRENDS
proportionally, per location,
FiguRe
which location was most
23
polluted.
Shows the
AveRAge numbeR of
items peR CleAn
ACRoss theitems
Over 100
clean
UK per BuRsting
75 > 100 items per
50 > 74 items per clean
clean
be A C
Restrictionshe s on the UK population
placed
202 citizen scienc
25 > 49 items per clean during lockdown resulted in 84% of us
missing the beaches and oceans according 1 audit
e
Under 25 items per
to the SAS #GenerationSea Blueprint
brand
report
clean Survey.
(124
Sceo tlanledan)
it ms/c
It’s not so surprising therefore to see that the recent
easing of restrictions resulted in so many of us heading to 01 ExeCutive
the coastal environment. Unfortunately this has also summ ARY
02
served to highlight the devastation caused by pollution,
(24
nd
North Ea
st (121 intR
rn nI)rela
rthele items/clea evidenced by bins piled high with trash, strewn across 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
Nom a n)
ite s/c
beaches by wildlife and wild weather and further exposing
the underlying nature of our disposable society. In many
04 the diRt
(35 Y dozen
iraen)
rkss/chle
st (7
9 Yo instances, even when we dispose of packaging and waste
h We item
Nort lean)
/c responsibility, waste and recycling systems simply can’t
05 Polluting pRoduCts
items
cope with the staggering volumes of material, often 06 The potentiA
Wes
t Mid idlands
: (36 l foR A
East M leading to material escaping into the environment. We
items
/clea
land
s
(70 items/ cl e a n ) Deposit RetuRn
n)
need deep rooted systemic change with collective sCheme
responsibility of industry, government and the public.26 07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
Wales
(114 Eas
tern
ollution
ean) item E
items/cl s/cle ngland
an)
(95 09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
South W tRends
items/clea
est (57
Sout
11 the
n) h Ea
items st
/clea (56
ConClusion
n) 12 ou
R CAlls
(10
nds
Isla
nn eel an)
h a s / cl
Ctem
i
26 Return To Offender Express Issue 01, (2020), SAS, [online:
www.sas.org.uk], Available at:
27 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
https://www.sas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Return-To-Offender-
Audit Report
Express-Issue-1-1.pdf [Accessed 13.07.2021]
 the io
ConClus
The findings presented in this report clearly highlight the systemic problem the UK faces in regards to plastic
and packaging pollution. Brands, wider businesses and the government are still not doing enough to reduce

n
packaging, switch to reuse models and enable recycling. Research on more environmentally friendly
alternatives to plastic and glass bottles is progressing rapidly for a range of beverage types. Seemingly the
government and producers are simply struggling to keep up in the work to mitigate the environmental harm
202 citizen scienc
1
brand
audit
e
caused by such plastic pollution. report
In 2022, a tax will be introduced on all packaging that is not
TuRning off the TAp
made of at least 30% recycled content. As has been highlighted
Despite the continued promises and commitments, we are still 01 ExeCutive
in chapter 6, proposals are also being consulted on to introduce
seeing staggering volumes of plastic and packaging pollution on summ ARY
an extended 02
beaches, rivers, streets and countryside. There is little change on
producer responsibility scheme and implement a deposit return intR
the most polluting companies year on year with Coca-Cola and ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
scheme (DRS) for drinks containers.
Pepsi-Co once again filling the top two spots on the Dirty Dozen Alongside changes to create a more consistent collection system,
leaderboard. these policies will fundamentally shift the burden of waste and its
04 the diRt
Y dozen
It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact this year
costs from the public to the companies who produce polluting
with brands most associated with consumption of alcohol in outdoor
products.
05 Polluting pRoduCts
recreational spaces particular influencing what is found in the
06 The potentiA
environment. Whilst we have seen considerable attention on PPE in The findings of this bRAnd Audit Deposit RetuRn
l foR A
the last year, the evidence of this brand audit shows that, whilst an
emerging pollution threat, by far the most plastic and packaging show thAt the intRoduCtion of sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pollution is coming from big multinational companies. It is critical
An ‘All-in’ DRS Could hAve A pAY
that the spotlight continue to shine a light on the pollution habits of 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
companies and that the issue of newly visible polluting products isn’t signifiCAnt impACt in pReventing
used to deflect this attention or assign blame to individuals alone. 09 impACt the
A ConsideRAble Amount of on enviRonment
RefoRming ouR 10 Region & AReA
pollution in the enviRonment.
ReCYCling & WAste tRends
11 the
Of the items monitored from this year’s dirty dozen, it is estimated
SYstem ConClusion
12 ou
that a massive 52% could be captured through a well designed R CAlls
Our recycling and waste systems simply can’t cope with the sheer
‘all-in’ DRS including a wide range of materials.
scale of the pollution crisis we face and needs reform. The
government has proposed a package of policies that, if designed
well together, has the potential to overhaul how waste is managed.
28 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand
Audit Report
 THE
N
CONCLUSIO

FoR the numbeR one polluting

CompAnY, CoCA-ColA,
Responsible foR 33% of
bRAnded items found, oveR 80%
202 citizen scienc
of its pRoduCts Could be
pRevented fRom polluting the
1 audit
e
brand
report
enviRonment with the
intRoduCtion of An ‘All-in’ dRs.
01 ExeCutive
In July 2021, it was announced that from September 2021, all of summ ARY
02
Coca- Cola’s smaller plastic (PET) bottles made in Great Britain will
contain 100% recycled content. Further comments on social media
intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
suggest that the company’s goal is for 100% recycled or
renewable content 04 the diRt
Y dozen
for
DRSbottles larger than
have already 750ml
proved too but in
successful can’t do thisof
a number without an in
countries
‘all-in’
05 Polluting pRoduCts
Europe DRSwithscheme as rates
recycling thereof
is over
not enough locally available
90% achieved in well-designed
recycled
systems, plastic to achieve this.27 An ‘all-in’ DRS is therefore 06 The potentiA
l foR A
absolutely essential
a considerable in the shared
improvement ambition
from the to establish
70% recycling ratea circular Deposit RetuRn
economy.
currently achieved for in scope items. On top of this, there is sCheme
overwhelming and increased public support for an ‘all-in’ DRS 07 gettin g polluteRs to
In 2018, 300,000 people signed Surfers Against Sewage’s petition pAY
scheme.
for the introduction of an all-in DRS Scheme in the UK. Scotland 08 UnbRAnded p
ollution
became the first devolved nation to commit to an ‘all-in’ DRS,
including glass, which will come into force in July 2022. It is vital 09 impACt the
that the rest of the UK adopt a consistent Deposit Return Scheme on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
in order to achieve the best environmental and economic
impacts.28 tRends
11 the
27 recycle-recover-reuse-an-update-on-our-ambition-for-a-sustainable-future, (2020), [online: ConClusion
www. coca-cola.co.uk], Available at: 12 ou
https://www.coca-cola.co.uk/sustainability/sustainability-in-great- R CAlls
britain/recycle-recover-reuse-an-update-on-our-ambition-for-a-sustainable-future [Accessed
12.07.21].
28 We Need an All-In Deposit Return Scheme Now, (2021), [online: www.sas.org.uk]
Available at: https://www.sas.org.uk/depositreturnscheme/ [Accessed: 11.07.21]

29 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 THE
N
CONCLUSIO

FuRtheR delAY
the intRoduCtion of
to
An effeCtive ‘All-
202 citizen scienc
in’
onlYDRS to 2024 will
exACeRbAte 1 audit
e
brand
plAstiC
the pollution report
CRisis And Result in 01 ExeCutive
A fuRtheR 56 Billion summ
02
ARY

ContAineRs intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
the
Choking 04 the diRt
Y dozen
plAnet. 05 Polluting pRoduCts
06 The potentiA
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution

09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

30 Report
Audit
 THE
N
CONCLUSIO
In March this year, Ministers considered extending and legislating
AddRessing UnbRAnded Items for the EPR schemes within the Environment Bill to force the
Unbranded items collected were a significant proportion of the tobacco industry to pay the full costs of disposal of their products
pollutants across the locations identified as part of the Million Mile or materials placed on the market, including the cigarette butts.
Clean flagship week, and at 63% of the total, exceeded the Cigarette and tobacco product
number of branded items found! Of the unbranded items, cigarette packaging should to be covered by the reforms to the packaging
butts, miscellaneous plastic and bottles were found to be the most producer responsibility scheme, which are currently open for
prolific, accounting for a massive 48% of unbranded pollution, with Other unbranded items receiving considerable attention over the
consultation.32 202 citizen scienc
cigarette butts accounting for almost half of this, making tobacco last 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic fell under the
1 audit
e
products by far the biggest pollutant of unbranded items.
Cigarette butts are found across all beaches and public spaces,
PPE product type, although surprisingly this accounted for only
2.5% of all pollution monitored through this year’s brand audit.
brand
report
with many being washed down street drains into the rivers and Clearly an increase in this pollutant is an emerging threat but it
oceans. Largely single-use plastic, the filters contain hundreds of remains key that this should not
toxic chemicals once smoked, persisting in the environment for distract from the significant amount of pollution caused by 01 ExeCutive
many years, releasing chemicals to air, land and water and companies and their brands. summ ARY
harming plant growth and wildlife.29 02
The Public Health Minister Jo Churchill acknowledged that although WhAt needs to ChAnge?
smoking rates were at an all time low, “the environmental intR
This year’s brand audit shows little change in the companies and 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
impact of smoking due to cigarette butt and package
brands responsible for the main items found consistently polluting 04 the diRt
littering is still a major issue”.30 Y dozen
over the past few years. It is crucial that a key focus remains on the
New ReseARCh published eARlieR this YeAR meaningful reduction of packaging in addition to the continued 05 Polluting pRoduCts
indiCAtes thAt CleAning up CigARette butts adoption of reuse and refill models. This requires companies to
CuRRentlY Costs loCAl AuthoRities in the UK adopt different business models that reduce the plastic and 06 The potentiA
l foR A
ARound £40 million peR YeAR, Rising to £46 packaging, focusing on a model of refill and reuse. Government also Deposit RetuRn
million when inCluding those disposed of in needs to adopt policies that actually prevent pollution from entering sCheme
publiC bins.31 the ocean including the introduction of an ‘all-in’ DRS now, that 07 gettin g polluteRs to
The Government has recently announced their intention to explore pAY
captures all sizes of container in a wide range of materials. 08 UnbRAnded p
regulatory options to ensure that the tobacco industry takes ollution
Continued delay to the introduction of an effective ‘all-in’ DRS to
financial responsibility for the toxic pollutants resulting from all
2024 will only further exacerbate the plastic and packaging 09 impACt the
tobacco products. Supported by the Department of Health and
Social Care, Defra is actively exploring the suitability of regulatory
pollution crisis and result in a further 56 billion containers on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
including plastic bottles, metal cans and drink cartons choking the
options to reduce tobacco litter, working closely with stakeholders
and ensuring that policies are developed in accordance with the
planet. It’s not too
The plAstiC late pACkAging
And to prevent this ifpollution
the government acts still
CRisis now. tRends
11 the
World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco needs Ambitious, uRgent And fAsteR ACtion. ConClusion
12 ou
Control (FCTC) and its guidelines. No timeframe has yet been R CAlls
provided however, despite the moves to address this type of
29 Tobacco industry to blame for polluted waterways and death of marine life, (1 May 2019), 32 Landmark Reforms to Boost Recycling and Fight Plastic Pollution - Press Release, DEFRA, The Rt
pollution.
[online: https://ash.org.uk/], Available at: Ohn George Eustice MP and Rebecca Powl MP, (24th March 2021). [online: www.gov.uk],
https://ash.org.uk/media-and-news/blog/tobacco-polluted- waterways-marine-death/ Available at:
30, 31 Government explores next step to clean up tobacco litter in England- Press Release, DEFRA,
[Accessed 13.07.2021] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-reforms-to-boost-recycling-and-fight-plastic-pol
3 Rebecca Pow MP and Jo Churchill MP, (30 March 2021), [online: www.gov.uk] Available at: lution [Accessed: 13.07.2021]
www.gov.uk/ government-explores-next-steps-to-clean-up-tobacco-litter-in-england [Accessed:
1 13.07.2021]
 itio is to
OuR Amb
n
end
pollution
on UK
202 citizen scienc
e
1 brand audit
plAstiC
b report
eAChes
bY 203 01 ExeCutive

0 summ
02
ARY

intR
ing bRAnds
oduCtion
03 Pollut
04 the diRt
Y dozen
05 Polluting pRoduCts
06 The potentiA
l foR A
Deposit RetuRn
sCheme
07 gettin g polluteRs to
pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
ollution

09 impACt the
on enviRonment
10 Region & AReA
tRends
11 the
ConClusion
12 ou
R CAlls

32 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 we ARe CAlling foR LegislAtion thAt ensuRes effeCtive
ResouRCe use And
LegislAtion thAt ends the wAste mAnAgement
pRoduCtion And Consumption We need to develop a circular economy which designs out
waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use
of
and actively regenerates natural systems.
-
202 citizen scienc
non-essentiAl single-use We need a UK wide ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
1 audit
e
And polluting plAstiCs focused around the principals of reduction, reuse and
refill by 2023.
brand
report
-
We need an overarching policy and legally binding targets for We need an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme (EPR) that
the elimination of plastic pollution (in all its forms) and to bring fully embraces ‘Polluter Pays’ principles, covering the full
- sale and use of non-essential
about an end to the manufacture, environmental cost of a product throughout its life cycle, from
We need ambitious and consistent bans across the UK on all
single-use, throwaway and polluting products.
01 ExeCutive
resource extraction to recycling and incentivising business to
non- essential single-use products, not just plastics, and summ ARY
design products for
- reuse and repair. 02
progressive taxes and charges for those items where
We need to end the offshoring of the UKs domestic waste and
alternatives are not- currently available. intR
develop and invest in domestic systems which keeps this 03 Pollut ing bRAnds
oduCtion
We must end subsides to fossil fuel and petro-chemical
material in the loop.
companies which are responsible for the systemic 04 the diRt
over-production of plastics. Instead, as we build back better
Y dozen
from the Covid-19 crisis, government needs to incentivise green
05 Polluting pRoduCts
industries which develop sustainable alternatives to single-use,
throwaway and polluting plastics. 06 The potentiA
CultuRAl ChAnge Deposit RetuRn
l foR A

sCheme
ACRoss soCietY 07 gettin g polluteRs to
Business models thAt ARe We need to encourage a shift in narrative that recognises that pAY
08 UnbRAnded p
‘traditional recycling models’ don’t present the solution to the ollution
foCused on ReduCtion & plastic pollution crisis. We must instead focus on reduction and
09 impACt the
Reuse alternative systems.
- on enviRonment
We need to educate wider society that plastic pollution is a 10 Region & AReA
We need businesses that produce products which are
symptom of our wider unsustainable consumer culture. All
fundamentally designed to be-reused, repaired and eventually tRends
We need businesses, large and small, to collaborate with forms of single-use products and packaging contribute to this 11 the
effectively recycled.
government and each other to adopt consistent polices that crisis. ConClusion
- 12 ou
create a level playing field and ultimately reduce waste and Communities and individuals should be encouraged and empowered R CAlls
pollution across industries. to reduce their plastic and waste footprints.

33 Surfers Against Sewage 2021 Citizen Science Brand

Audit Report
 thank yo
you
u ers
te
volun teer
volun
cit sc
202 izen ienc
20
1 21 citizen e
br
b r an
a nd a
au uditt
di
science
 Surfers Against Sewage
Unit 2, Wheal Kitty Workshops, St Agnes, TR5 0RD
Email: info@sas.org.uk | Telephone: 01872 553 001 | www.sas.org.uk
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