Top 5 Plastic Polluters 2019

1Call out the companies publicly on Twitter

Big companies like Nestlé, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, are talking a lot of “green” talk and are spreading their message through social media. Yet they are still trashing the planet with single-use plastics. Call them out on Twitter and demand they join the Reuse Revolution.

Tips: Instagram is a good platform too! Why not tag them next time you find their branded trash on the street or in nature? Don’t forget to add #IsThisYours to your post!

2Add a public review about the polluters on Google

It’s all about reputation. Would you go to a restaurant or a bar that has terrible reviews? Share how the Top 5 polluters are trashing our planet on the Internet by rating them on Google. Don’t forget to add a comment as well!

3Email the companies’ customer service

Flood the Top Polluters’ customer service with emails to tell them we don’t want their single-use packaging anymore. We need reusable alternatives!

Here are some of the key messages you can use in your email:

• [NAME OF THE COMPANY] is among the Top 5 Plastic Polluters in Canada according to a brand audit conducted in Spring/Summer 2019.
• In Canada, over 91% of plastic waste goes to landfill, is burned or ends up in the environment. Less than 9% of plastic waste is actually recycled. It’s time to join the Reuse Revolution!
• Paper packaging, 100% recyclable containers, and bioplastics are false solutions that are keeping us from moving in the right direction. We need and we want reuse and refill alternatives. To tackle the plastic crisis, we need to shift away from disposables and a throwaway culture.
• To actually cut your massive plastic waste footprint, companies like yours must prioritize single-use packaging reduction over false solutions like bioplastics, paper and other single-use replacements. I ask you to invest in reuse and refill systems to distribute your products.
  Your company needs to provide clear single-use plastic reduction targets and more transparency on how you plan to move away from your reliance on single-use plastics and packaging once and for all.
• (If true for you) I see your company’s trash in the environment regularly in my community. The only way to stop polluting is to stop making so much throwaway plastic and join the reuse revolution.

Don’t forget… be polite!

Keep us posted: forward us the companies’ feedback to your comments at the email address plasticfree@greenpeace.ca