Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle have topped the list of the most polluting companies in the world for the third time in a row in Break free from plastic’s annual survey. This report delves into people’s opinions of these brands and the plastic menace in itself. Consumer brands and government agencies can leverage this data in their decision making.

Plastic pollution by top FMCG brands made no headlines last year, as the world worked through plastic problems of a different kind. The COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant focus on hygiene and safety led to several countries delaying or reversing their ban on plastic use. Almost overnight, single-use plastics were back in demand, with plastic bags, packaging solutions, PPE kits, and medical equipment flooding the streets. Despite the sustainability debate taking a backseat, how conscious are Americans of the plastic menace, and what are their thoughts on the world’s serial plastic polluters? Piplsay polled 30,428 people nationwide to get some insights. Here is a summary of what we found:

Other Insights

• About 66% each of Gen Zers and Millennials say a brand’s commitment to sustainability affects their brand loyalty
• 64% of Millennials and 58% each of Gen Zers and Gen Xers believe the US should ban single-use plastics
• 51% of men have tried to minimize the use of single-use plastics amid the pandemic as compared to 49% of women

Survey Methodology: This Piplsay survey was conducted nationwide in the US from January 29-31, 2021. We received 30,428 online responses from individuals aged 18 years and older.