Survey is the first of its kind to rank global fast food companies on the ‘takeaway trifecta’ of plastic straws, plastic bags, and foam cups and containers
Nov. 28, 2018 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Plastic Pollution Coalition has launched the first-ever Global Fast Food Plastic Survey tracking the progress made by companies on eliminating single-use plastic. Starting with the world’s 25 largest companies with more than 270,000 fast food outlets spread across the globe, the survey will be continually updated and expanded to the largest 100 companies.
Widespread distribution of “on-the-go” single-use plastic is universally acknowledged as a major source of plastic pollution on land and in water. Yet, Fast Food Companies do not consistently or comprehensively report on their global plastic practices.
“The mission of Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Global Fast Food Survey is to reduce plastic pollution that originates from Fast Food business operations through transparent data collection and comparison of individual company practices,” said Jan Dell, a chemical engineer and the survey creator. “It’s time to eliminate the ‘takeaway trifecta: plastic straws, plastics bags, and expanded polystyrene foam cups and containers.’” The 25 companies included in the survey distribute millions of these items every day.
“Plastic straws, plastic bags, and expanded polystyrene foam cups and containers can be easily eliminated or replaced with materials that are less harmful to species and our environment,” said Dianna Cohen, CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition. “It is critical that global Fast Food companies enact good plastic practices consistently across the world because many countries do not have adequate waste management systems, and plastic pollution does not stop at country or state borders.”
Fast food companies that show leadership on key plastics practices will benefit from brand enhancement and customer, employee, and shareholder support, said Dell. “Transparent reporting of global practices will ensure that Fast Food Companies are meeting their Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability commitments. The comparison between companies will provide peer pressure for companies to match the progress made by their competitors.”
Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance of over 750 organizations, businesses, and leaders working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways, oceans, and the environment.
