Coca-cola bottles make up 16 per cent of plastic waste on UK beaches, analysis finds

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Our annual Brand Audit has once again revealed the shocking volume of plastic and packaging pollution coming.from big companies and some of their best-known brands," Hugo Tagholm, SAS chief executive, said. All of our packaging is 100 per cent recyclable and our aim is to get more of it back so that it can be recycled and turned into new packaging again.” The spokesperson added: "It’s disappointing to see any packaging being littered and that’s why we support the introduction of a well-designed deposit return scheme, which would encourage people to recycle rather than litter or throw away. In Great Britain, we’re continuing to work with numerous organisations to encourage more recycling on-the-go and we’re actively supporting a number of initiatives with the aim of making litter something of the past.” Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Supermarkets are working quickly to remove unnecessary plastics from their stores, having already removed all polystyrene packaging and plastic cutlery, as well as trialling packaging free and refillable options. However, government and local councils must play their part by improving our current recycling infrastructure, and better enforcing laws against irresponsible littering.” SAS called on companies such as Coke to reduce their packaging and to switch to a re-fill model, where customers top up drinks containers rather than buying a new plastic bottle.