Turning Litter Picks into Real Change: Calling Out Big Plastic Polluters

We haven’t been litter picking recently but we are getting back to it. Having been involved with Surfers Against Sewage pick for years I wish things had moved forward and so hope as many of you as possible will get on board to take action.

But- Every litter pick tells a story.

From beaches to parks to streets, the same brands keep showing up again and again, on bottles, wrappers, and single-use packaging. And thanks to the work of Surfers Against Sewage and thousands of volunteers, we now have the data to prove it.

🚨 What the latest findings show

Through nationwide brand audits, volunteers have helped identify the biggest contributors to plastic pollution in the UK. The results are clear:

• A small number of companies are responsible for a huge proportion of single-use plastic waste
• The most common items found include:
  • Drinks bottles and caps
  • Food wrappers
  • Takeaway packaging
• These items are designed for seconds of use—but last for hundreds of years

This isn’t just litter—it’s a systemic problem.

🌍 Why this matters for eco communities

If you’ve ever taken part in a litter pick, you’ve already seen the evidence first-hand. But here’s the shift:

👉 Litter picking is no longer just about cleaning up
👉 It’s about collecting data, raising awareness, and driving accountability

Every piece of branded waste you find is a chance to tell the story of where it came from—and who’s responsible.

📢 The next step: Call it out

This is where real change starts.

Instead of just binning the waste, we can now:

• Photograph branded litter
• Share it on social media
• Tag the companies responsible
• Use collective voices to demand change

This turns a quiet act of care into a public call for accountability.

💡 How to take action on your next litter pick

• Bring a phone or camera
• Snap clear photos of branded items
• Share them using campaign hashtags
• Tag the brand and ask:
  • Why is this still single-use?
  • What are you doing to reduce plastic?
• Encourage others in your group to do the same

Small actions, multiplied across communities, become powerful.

✊ From frustration to action

But here’s the thing: people like you have already helped expose the truth. Now it’s time to turn anger into action. ✊✊✊ READ MORE

#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. 

Lean more about the campaign and reports – click here