Brand Audit of Single-use Plastics of Selected Urban Barangays in Iligan City, the Philippines

Single-use plastics (SUPs) are products that are widely used by many people; hence, this article focuses on identifying the major contributor of SUPs in Iligan City through a waste analysis and characterisation study and an investigation of the brand names and manufacturers of these plastics. The labels, typically located on the rear portion of the packaging, were used to identify the brands of the SUPs. The findings revealed that the majority of the generated SUPs were branded, with Nescafé and Lucky Me (6.2%) being the most abundant, which are instant coffee powder and noodle products, respectively. Additionally, Nestlé (13.6%) was the manufacturer responsible for the largest share of branded SUPs, followed by Monde Nissin (9.1%), and Jack ‘n Jill (8.7%). Moreover, branded SUPs were primarily sachets, while unbranded SUPs were mostly plastic labo (i.e., thin plastic film bags without handle). Identifying the leading brands contributing to plastic waste is crucial for holding companies accountable for their environmental and economic impact onto strengthen sustainability efforts, prioritising the reduction of plastic pollution is essential.