The worst packaging polluters within the UK have been revealed by a marketing campaign group.

An annual waste audit by Surfers Against Sewage noticed 4,000 citizen scientists gather over 30,700 items of garbage alongside coastlines, canal paths and metropolis streets.

Just 12 firms have been answerable for 70% of the objects that carried branding.

Coca-Cola topped the listing for the fourth 12 months working, regardless of the corporate launching initiatives to slash plastic air pollution.

McDonald’s was in second place with PepsiCo third – and altogether, the three manufacturers have been answerable for 37% of the branded air pollution collected.

Tesco, Haribo, Nestle, Heineken, Mars, Carlsberg and Red Bull have been additionally named in what Surfers Against Sewage known as “the dirty dozen”.

Izzy Ross, the group’s campaigns supervisor, described the outcomes as “shocking, but sadly not surprising” – and known as on large companies to wash up their act.

“Year on year we’re seeing the same culprits responsible for disgusting amounts of plastic pollution on our beaches, and in our cities and countryside,” she warned.

Surfers Against Sewage is looking on these firms to be held accountable – and take additional steps to slash their plastic use and carbon footprint.

Campaigners additionally need the federal government to implement an “all-in” deposit return scheme for drinks containers of all sizes and supplies.

While plans for a deposit return scheme have been introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it will not embody glass – and its launch has been delayed till 2025.

Ms Ross accused the federal government of “stalling”, and added: “In doing so, it is condemning our ocean, beaches and rivers to a further eight billion extra pieces of plastic a year, as plastic gradually chokes these fragile ecosystems to death.”

A Coca-Cola spokesperson mentioned it’s clear the world is dealing with a packaging waste downside, and the drinks big has a accountability to assist clear up it.

“Here in the UK, all of our bottles are already recyclable, and all of our smaller packs are made with 100% recycled plastic, excluding cap and label,” they added.

McDonald’s mentioned 90% of its packaging comes from recycled or renewable sources – and plastic McFlurry lids, straws, salad packing containers, cutlery and Happy Meal toys have all been scrapped.

PepsiCo acknowledged litter on British seashores is a “huge problem” – and it should play a “significant role” in addressing it.

The enterprise has vowed to cut back plastic used throughout all of its merchandise, and section out virgin fossil-based plastics in all crisp packets by the top of the last decade.

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Nestle defined that plastic is used “in the interests of safety, freshness and affordability” – however it’s “unacceptable for that packaging to end up as litter in the natural environment”.

The firm says it is aiming for near 100% of its packaging to be designed for recycling inside two years.

And Heineken mentioned: “We understand the immediate impact of litter on the environment and we have taken some important steps to address this issue.”

Tesco, Haribo, Mars, Carlsberg, Red Bull – in addition to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – have been contacted by the PA news company for remark.