We need YOUR HELP to demand brands step up to reduce their plastic packaging, switch to reuse models, and commit to tackling pollution. Take action with Digital Return to Offender.
Big Brands are fueling the plastic crisis; they’ve broken promises, greenwashed consumers, and derailed vital legislation. Across the Dirty Dozen (the UK’s top polluters), plastic reduction has flatlined, circular product design has stalled, and reuse is stuck at 0%. The result? Plastic pollution continues to pour into the environment, and communities are left picking up the pieces.
But the people are rising up. We refuse to let business continue as usual; which would let plastic production rates DOUBLE by 2040, when our already overwhelmed system can’t cope – and the ocean is suffocating.
So, to show big brands the power of reuse as an effective instrument for positive change, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are bringing back #ReturnToOffender! One of SAS’s original plastic pollution campaign actions. We’re turn up the heat on the UK’s top polluting brands and tell the government it’s time to crack down on those profiting from pollution.
Dive in and find out how YOU can add to the wave of change and make an impact.
#ReturnToOffender in just 3 simple steps!
A bit of background
The campaign comes following the launch of the recent 2025 Surfers Against Sewage Brand Audit report – which exposed the UK’s Top Plastic Polluters, and how government failure to crack down on household brands is driving the plastic crisis. The findings are shocking. If we don’t turn the ship around, we’re on track to letting plastic production TRIPLE
Want to find out more?
What is Digital Return To Offender (DRTO)?
DRTO is a digital campaign, where individuals find and photograph branded plastic pollution in the environment, share it on social media and tag the brand responsible. This piling pressure exposes the polluters responsible, encouraging them to publicly respond and ultimately urges both polluting brands and governments to take action on plastic pollution.
By following the instructions below, your posts – and all the other content generated throughout the duration of the campaign – will be collated by SAS and taken straight to the UK Government, to demonstrate the widespread public mandate for legislative change.
Why do we need your help on plastic pollution?
It’s time to shift the blame – and hold brands accountable
For far too long, plastic pollution has been deemed a consumer and waste management problem. But SAS’s recent report reveals the truth; that big brands and a lack of government will are to blame for the UK’s plastic pollution crisis. So, it’s time to re-write the story and stick the pollution right back to its rightful owner: the Dirty Dozen brands.
What we’re calling for
We demand an urgent shift from voluntary pledges to binding action that holds polluters to account. We are calling on Governments across the UK to act urgently, implementing:
- Legally Binding Targets to Cut Plastics Production
- The Creation of a World Leading Circular Economy
- A Ban on Toxic Chemicals
- Tackle the worst polluting Single-Use Plastics
HOW TO TAKE ACTION
#ReturnToOffender in 3 easy steps:
1. See it!
Find branded plastic pollution in the environment during your outdoor activities. Be it a surf, swim, walk, run or even a planned clean – simply get outside and find pollution in the places it shouldn’t be
2. Snap it!
Take an image or video of the pollution, clearly showing the brand name. Try and ensure your content is in focus and high-quality where possible.
3. Share it!
Using Instagram or Facebook, share the image with the following tracking method so SAS can double the impact:
- Use the #ReturnToOffender & #SurfersAgainstSewage hashtags.
- Tag us Surfers Against Sewage and the brand(s) responsible for the pollution found.
If you consent to SAS using your content for further campaigning, please also upload your best and most impactful images/videos below. 👇
Extra Tips and Tricks
- Get Creative! Showing what activity you’re doing when you find pollution, or the contrast of the pollution compared to the beautiful environment, is a powerful way to catch attention. We encourage you to add your own creative spin and bring your voice into the campaign.
- The more posts, the better – even if it means bombarding the same brand more than once. Annoying and loud is what we’re after.
- If you want to see whether the brand you found is one of the confirmed Dirty Dozen, download our Brand Bingo Sheet here.
Pre-drafted copy to use (just fill in the blanks)
If you need inspiration or help drafting a caption to go with your post, feel free to edit and use any of the below:
Example 1:
📢Hey [@Brand], you have been named one of the WORST plastic and packaging polluters in the UK. This is simply unacceptable.
When will you reduce your single-use packaging pollution at source and shift to reuse?
It’s time to take responsibility and #TurnTheTide on plastic pollution for good.
#ReturnToOffender #DirtyDozen #ActNow
Example 2:
This pollution could have been prevented – if [@Brand] hadn’t broken their promise.
The 2025 Brand Audit Report exposed that none of the #DirtyDozen met all their 2025 targets, with many abandoning them altogether. And worse, they worked to derail desperately needed legislation in the UK, designed to tackle their pollution.
We’re sick of your greenwashing lies. Clean up your act. #ReturnToOffender
Example 3:
📢Hey [@Brand], you polluted [where you found it e.g. my beach].
You have been named one of the WORST plastic and packaging polluters in the UK. When will you take responsibility and clean up your act?
No more lies, no more profiting from pollution.
#ReturnToOffender #DirtyDozen #ActNow
Example 4 – specifically for plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans
[@Brand] must take responsibility for this pollution & government must introduce policy that holds them to account.
The 2025 Brand Audit Report revealed that nearly half of the pollution from the #DirtyDozen companies would be captured through an all-in #DepositReturnScheme. Saving this [bottle/can] from entering the environment.
We can’t wait any longer. Governments must act now. No more delays. @keirstarmer, are you listening?!
Find out more by visiting the @surfersagainstsewage website.
#DirtyDozen #ReturnToOffender #EndPlasticPollution #DRSnow
Share online
Don’t forget to tag #ReturnToOffender and @SurfersAgainstSewage using the handles below so we can harness the impact!
- Instagram: @surfersagainstsewage
- Facebook: Surfers Against Sewage
- TikTok: @surfersagainstsewage
- LinkedIn: Surfers Against Sewage