Big Brands are fueling the plastic crisis. Across the Dirty Dozen (the UK’s top polluters), ambition to tackle the issue has stalled, while plastic use continues to rise. The result? Plastic pollution pouring into the environment, and communities left picking up the pieces.
But 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.
It’s time to crack down on those profiting from pollution. It’s time to #ReturnToOffender
Called out the brands on social media – now what? In our second wave of #ReturnToOffender, we’re encouraging all supporters to send their message directly to the Brands.
Simply pick your brand, use the Letter Template to copy and paste (or edit/ write your own message!) and send your message using the links provided below.
Coca-Cola
- Contact Us Here
Coca-Cola Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Coca-Cola has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Coca-Cola’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen were responsible for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Coca-Cola has retained its position as the UK’s number one plastic polluter across 6 successive audits. This persistent dominance demonstrates the resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Our data further evidences the scale of your impact across the UK:
- Since 2023, volunteers have recorded and removed over 7,000 Coca-Cola-branded products from the environment.
- Coca-Cola products were found in approximately half of all surveyed clean-up locations.
- Across multiple years of Brand Audits, Coca-Cola has consistently been responsible for a significant share of branded waste, historically accounting for around 17% of all identified plastic pollution in the UK.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Coca-Cola to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Coca-Cola to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
McDonald’s
- Contact Us Here
- Top Tip: McDonald’s have a character count limit, so use the SHORT template if contacting via their website. Alternatively, you can send the full template using their email address: myfeedback@mcdonalds.com
McDonalds Letter Template – SHORT
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage regarding your inclusion in our 2025 Brand Audit as one of the UK’s top 12 corporate polluters. Your single-use packaging is contributing significantly to environmental harm, impacting wildlife, ecosystems, and the climate.
Our brand audit, based on data from nearly 160,000 volunteers across thousands of UK clean-ups, shows that a small number of corporations drive the majority of plastic pollution. The “Dirty Dozen” alone account for 52% of branded waste (over 17,000 items) recorded. Evidence also highlights concerning practices such as missed targets, greenwashing, and lobbying against effective regulation.
McDonald’s has ranked in the top four polluters for six consecutive audits, with over 5,400 branded items collected since 2023. This ongoing dominance reflects a clear gap between public commitments and genuine, impactful action.
Urgent, systemic action is required. We’re calling on McDonald’s to:
- Deliver significant, time-bound reductions in plastic use.
- Scale up accessible reuse and refill systems to replace single-use packaging.
- Ensure transparency by annually reporting your global plastic footprint and progress against targets.
- Actively support strong environmental regulation.
Plastic pollution cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. With growing public concern, we urge McDonald’s to take decisive leadership and drive meaningful transformation.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
McDonalds Letter Template (full)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: McDonald’s has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. McDonald’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, McDonald’s has retained its position within the top 4 polluters in the UK across 6 successive audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2023, volunteers have recorded and removed over 5,400 McDonalds branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on McDonald’s to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge McDonald’s to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Cadbury
- Top Tip: Have your best Cadbury pollution images to hand to upload with your message!
Cadbury Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Cadbury has been made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Cadbury’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Cadbury was in the UK’s top 3 polluters for 2025 and its parent company, Mondelez International, has retained its position within the top 5 polluting parent companies across 6 successive audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2023, volunteers have recorded and removed over 4,600 Cadbury branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Cadbury to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Cadbury to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your name]
Walkers
- Contact Us Here
- Top Tip: Have your best Walkers pollution images to hand to upload with your message!
Walker Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Walkers has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Walkers’ polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Walkers ranked #5 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, PepsiCo, has retained its position within the top 3 polluting parent companies across 6 successive audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. In 2025 alone, volunteers recorded and removed 1,599 Walkers branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Walkers to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Walkers to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your name]
Lucozade
- Top Tip: You’ll need to scroll down to the bottom of the page to add your message. Have your best Lucozade pollution images to hand to upload with your message!
Lucozade Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Lucozade has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Lucozade’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Lucozade ranked #5 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, Suntory Holdings, has made it into the Dirty Dozen parent company rankings across 5 brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,348 Lucozade branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Lucozade to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Lucozade to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your name]
Pepsi
- Top Tip: Have your best Pepsi pollution images to hand to upload with your message!
Pepsi Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Pepsi has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Pepsi’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Pepsi ranked #8 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, PepsiCo, has retained its position within the top 3 polluting parent companies across 6 successive audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,359 Pepsi branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Pepsi to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Pepsi to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Tesco
- Top Tip: Tesco don’t have a ‘Contact Us’ page, so you’ll need to email them direct (or post a letter) using the addresses below:
- Email to David Lewis (CEO) via: dave.lewis@uk.tesco.com & customer.services@tesco.co.uk
- FreePost Address:
Tesco Customer Services,
Freepost SCO2298,
Dundee DD1 9NF
Tesco Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Tesco has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Tesco’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Tesco ranked #11 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and has made it into the Dirty Dozen rankings across 5 successive brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,313 Tesco branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Tesco to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Tesco to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Mars
- Contact Us Here
Mars Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Mars has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Mars’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,165 Mars branded items from the environment. Mars ranked #12 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, Mars Incorporated, has made it into the Dirty Dozen parent company rankings across all 6 brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. This is further demonstrated by the companies increased use of virgin plastic and 0% reuse rates in 2024, rather than working towards its 2025 Targets as part of the Global Commitment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Mars to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Mars to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Haribo
- Contact Us Here
- Top Tip: Have your best Haribo pollution images to hand to upload with your message!
Haribo Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Haribo has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Haribo’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the volume of single-use plastic entering our environment remains unacceptably high – and the crisis is being driven by a handful of corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen account for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. Furthermore, investigations exposed unacceptable behaviours by the Dirty Dozen that clearly and deliberately worked to undermine progress, including failed or abandoned targets, greenwashing claims, and industry lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
The continued widespread presence of your branded products across beaches, rivers, and communities in the UK demonstrates the distinct gap between your public pledges and real-world actions.
Crucially, Haribo ranked #10 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, Haribo GmbH & Co. KG, has made it into the Dirty Dozen parent company rankings across 5 brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,478 Haribo branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of plastic pollution will continue to escalate. The systemic issue cannot be solved through incremental change or recycling alone. We are therefore calling on Haribo to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Move beyond empty targets and deliver significant, time-bound cuts in plastic use. - Dramatically scale up reuse and refill systems
Invest in accessible, large-scale reuse infrastructure to replace single-use packaging models. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your global plastic footprint annually, alongside progress made towards time-bound targets – which must be upheld once set. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Voluntary action alone is not working; robust legislation is urgently needed. Brands must stop stalling progress and actively advocate for ambitious policies, including deposit return schemes and a robust Global Plastics Treaty, with upstream measures including mandatory caps on plastic production.
The public is increasingly aware of the major role brands play in this crisis, and both expectations and environmental consequences have never been higher. We urge Haribo to seize this moment to deliver the systemic transformation that is so urgently needed.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Red Bull
- Contact Us Here
Red Bull Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Red Bull has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Red Bull’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the UK’s pollution crisis is a direct result of the staggering volumes of single-use packaging being forced into the market – driven by a handful of major corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen were responsible for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. These findings reflect a systemic issue rooted in overproduction and a continued reliance on throwaway packaging models. Investigations also highlight concerning industry behaviours, including missed or weakened targets, greenwashing claims, and lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
While aluminium is often presented as a more sustainable alternative to plastic, cans are still frequently lost from waste systems, resulting in environmental pollution, and are not recycled effectively. A system that relies on single-use, regardless of material, is fundamentally unsustainable.
Crucially, Red Bull ranked #4 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and Red Bull GmbH has made it into the Dirty Dozen parent company rankings across 4 successive brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 2,975 Red Bull branded items from the environment. Furthermore, Red Bull seemingly refuse to take responsibility as the company has no set targets or clear plan to tackle this issue. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of packaging pollution will continue to escalate. This crisis cannot be solved through recycling alone, nor through material substitution without systemic change.
We are therefore calling on Red Bull to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Deliver cuts against ambitious time-bound targets on plastic use. - Lead the transition to reuse and refill
Invest in and scale up accessible reuse systems in the UK, ensuring they are convenient, affordable, and widely available to consumers. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your total packaging footprint annually, including data on recycled content, and commit to rapid progress measured against time-bound targets. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Engage constructively and support ambitious, well-designed Deposit Return Schemes and EPR reforms, and commit to full compliance without delay or dilution. This includes ensuring high return rates, clear labelling, and financial contributions that reflect the true cost of waste management.
The public is increasingly aware of the role major brands play in this crisis, and expectations for meaningful action have never been higher. We urge Red Bull to seize this moment to move beyond incremental change and demonstrate genuine leadership in leading the transition to a fully circular economy and tackling packaging pollution.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Monster
- Top Tip: Scroll down and click ‘Product Question’
Monster Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Monster has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Monster’s polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the UK’s pollution crisis is a direct result of the staggering volumes of single-use packaging being forced into the market – driven by a handful of major corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen were responsible for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. These findings reflect a systemic issue rooted in overproduction and a continued reliance on throwaway packaging models. Investigations also highlight concerning industry behaviours, including missed or weakened targets, greenwashing claims, and lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
While aluminium is often presented as a more sustainable alternative to plastic, cans are still frequently lost from waste systems, resulting in environmental pollution, and are not recycled effectively. A system that relies on single-use, regardless of material, is fundamentally unsustainable.
Crucially, Monster ranked #6 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,772 Monster branded items from the environment. Furthermore, Monster seemingly refuse to take responsibility as the company has no set targets or clear plan to tackle this issue. This is simply unacceptable
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of packaging pollution will continue to escalate. This crisis cannot be solved through recycling alone, nor through material substitution without systemic change.
We are therefore calling on Monster to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Deliver cuts against ambitious time-bound targets on plastic use. - Lead the transition to reuse and refill
Invest in and scale up accessible reuse systems in the UK, ensuring they are convenient, affordable, and widely available to consumers. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your total packaging footprint annually, including data on recycled content, and commit to rapid progress measured against time-bound targets. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Engage constructively and support ambitious, well-designed Deposit Return Schemes and EPR reforms, and commit to full compliance without delay or dilution. This includes ensuring high return rates, clear labelling, and financial contributions that reflect the true cost of waste management.
The public is increasingly aware of the role major brands play in this crisis, and expectations for meaningful action have never been higher. We urge Monster to seize this moment to move beyond incremental change and demonstrate genuine leadership in leading the transition to a fully circular economy and tackling packaging pollution.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Stella Artois
Stella Letter Template
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Stella Artois has made it into the 2025 top 12 rankings. What action will you take?
We are writing on behalf of Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to protecting the ocean. As one of the companies identified in our 2025 Brand Audit, your business is among the “Dirty Dozen” top 12 corporations responsible for a disproportionate share of the UK’s pollution. Stella Artois’ polluting products are harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the climate crisis. As a major producer of single-use packaging, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead meaningful change.
Our Brand Audit represents one of the most comprehensive citizen science datasets of its kind, with nearly 160,000 volunteers participating in data collection during thousands of clean-ups across the UK. The findings are clear: the UK’s pollution crisis is a direct result of the staggering volumes of single-use packaging being forced into the market – driven by a handful of major corporations.
This year’s audit found that the Dirty Dozen were responsible for 52% of all branded pollution recorded, totalling over 17,000 pieces of waste. These findings reflect a systemic issue rooted in overproduction and a continued reliance on throwaway packaging models. Investigations also highlight concerning industry behaviours, including missed or weakened targets, greenwashing claims, and lobbying against effective environmental regulation.
While aluminium is often presented as a more sustainable alternative to plastic, cans are still frequently lost from waste systems, resulting in environmental pollution, and are not recycled effectively. A system that relies on single-use, regardless of material, is fundamentally unsustainable.
Crucially, Stella Artois ranked #9 in the UK’s top polluters for 2025 and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, has made it into the Dirty Dozen rankings across all 6 brand audits. This persistent dominance underscores a resounding failure to reduce your environmental footprint. Since 2024, volunteers have recorded and removed 1,362 Stella Artois branded items from the environment. This is simply unacceptable.
The evidence from the 2025 Brand Audit is unequivocal: without urgent action from the Dirty Dozen, the environmental and social costs of packaging pollution will continue to escalate. This crisis cannot be solved through recycling alone, nor through material substitution without systemic change.
We are therefore calling on Stella Artois to take urgent and decisive action to:
- Achieve absolute reductions in plastic use
Deliver cuts against ambitious time-bound targets on plastic use. - Lead the transition to reuse and refill
Invest in and scale up accessible reuse systems in the UK, ensuring they are convenient, affordable, and widely available to consumers. - Ensure full transparency and accountability
Publicly disclose your total packaging footprint annually, including data on recycled content, and commit to rapid progress measured against time-bound targets. - Support and advocate for strong environmental regulation
Engage constructively and support ambitious, well-designed Deposit Return Schemes and EPR reforms, and commit to full compliance without delay or dilution. This includes ensuring high return rates, clear labelling, and financial contributions that reflect the true cost of waste management.
The public is increasingly aware of the role major brands play in this crisis, and expectations for meaningful action have never been higher. We urge Stella Artois to seize this moment to move beyond incremental change and demonstrate genuine leadership in leading the transition to a fully circular economy and tackling packaging pollution.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
If you come up against any issues or have questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact the team via Freya@SAS.org.uk