JOIN THE 2026

Supermarket Audit

Visit your local supermarket 
and use our audit tool
EXTENDED – Until 31 July 2026

Ever felt frustrated by how much plastic you end up with after a trip to the supermarket? Join us for a supermarket audit so we can collectively demand change!

Supermarkets are key to less plastic

Supermarkets can influence how brands package their products, and how much plastic consumers end up being exposed to when shopping for everyday products.

They are key players in the plastic pollution lifecycle. Supermarkets have a huge opportunity to help reduce plastic pollution but currently they have largely avoided responsibility for their role in the crisis.

Why audit supermarkets?

There’s a lack of information on supermarket business practices around the world, and without information, we can’t demand they do better. By surveying how supermarkets are either increasing plastic pollution or helping reduce it, we can see what best practices exist, and what practices need to become things of the past.

By auditing stores around the world we can see which companies are leading the way and pressure others to follow their example.

Audit the aisles with our questionnaire to be part of global change!

Between 6 May and 30 June, we invite you to fill out a simple questionnaire on your next supermarket trip. By completing just one supermarket audit, you help build global data that will push supermarkets to be more sustainable.

Our questionnaire and participant guide are available in English, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai.

To participate, simply take these steps:

STEP 01

Find the supermarkets we are targeting in your country, and plan your visit. We want to target the top 5 in each country and the top 10 global supermarket chains.

STEP 02

Please read important information before you start and how to use Kobo Toolbox.

STEP 03

Visit your chosen store, and use the online questionnaire to submit data. The survey will take between 15 to 60 minutes to complete, depending on how many sections your supermarket has. Most audits are very simple and take 15 minutes!

STEP 04

For technical information and answers to any question you may have, please refer to the participant guide.

RESOURCES

Participant Guide 2026

This guide covers tips on how to efficiently navigate the aisles like a pro, without getting in the way of other shoppers.

NOTES

Temporary Technical Issue

We are aware that some participants are being unexpectedly asked to log in while completing the survey. This should not happen, and it appears to be a technical issue affecting Kobo Toolbox web form rather than our survey.

If you encounter this issue, please wait and try again later. Please do not create a Kobo account or attempt to log in, as this is not required to complete the survey.

If you are concerned about losing your responses, you may wish to take screenshots of your completed survey before submitting. If you are unable to submit your responses, you can email the screenshots to brandaudit@breakfreefromplastic.org and we will work with you to ensure your submission is recorded.

The issue has been reported, and we are monitoring for updates. We apologize for the inconvenience and will share further information as soon as the issue is resolved.

Can’t find your country on the list? Email brandaudit@breakfreefromplastic.org to coordinate with our team directly to find your target supermarkets!

Before You Start

We suggest that you do the audit alone, or in pairs. Do not wear branded clothing that identifies you as part of an organisation.
Bring a phone or tablet for photos and to fill in the form. All photos are optional.
We recommend that you read through the survey and guide before heading to the store, so you are familiar with what you will be auditing.
The survey is very simple, but you can find answers to almost any question you might have in the participants guide. Don’t be daunted by how long the guide is, it’s covering all possibilities for supermarkets around the world.
If you are not sure about the internet connection, load the Kobo Toolbox form on your browser before you proceed to the supermarket. You can conduct the audit even without internet connection, and submit the results once you are back online.
You may need to ask staff for some questions. We suggest you ask them without disclosing that you are doing the audit. If you need to provide the staff with further information, say ‘I am participating in a citizen science project on supermarket packaging.’ If you feel uncomfortable speaking to staff, just skip those questions.
It can help you to fit in with the other shoppers if you carry a basket or trolley with few items in it as you do the survey. There is nothing wrong with conducting a survey in the store, but you might draw attention from staff. If someone asks what you are doing, be very polite and say ‘I am participating in a citizen science project on supermarket packaging.’
As supermarket layouts vary and may not follow the order of this audit, you may need to navigate between different sections of the form during your walk-through. Familiarizing yourself with the sections of the questionnaire will be helpful.
If unsure, select “Did not check / Not sure”

Using Kobo Toolbox

Kobo auto-saves your progress. It might feel like the form is reloading or bringing back previous answers. This is normal and helps prevent data loss. Your answers are saved automatically. This does not mean the audit is submitted.
Do NOT tap “Save Draft” as this may cause data loss. We have received reports that some drafts have not been saving properly.
If you see “Unsaved Record Found,” always tap DISCARD (unless you’re continuing your own unfinished audit).
You need to complete and submit. After tapping Submit/Finalize, make sure you see a confirmation message. If you don’t, it may not have been submitted.
You can submit multiple entries (one per audit).