Sustainable Packaging How important is this to today’s consumers?
Sustainable Packaging
How important is this to today’s consumers?
Looking at a recent report by Coleman Parkes Research, which
was undertaken on behalf of the packaging industry body Pro Carton, it’s
evident that there is still a growing demand for sustainable packaging. The survey asked more than 7000 shoppers,
from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Turkey, what their views
were on topics from on-pack recycling information to tax breaks for packaging
manufactures directly related to the recycled content in their products.
The survey highlights how much consumers will consider the
product packaging before buying and how this could influence their actual
purchasing decisions. As a nation, we
are calling out for more transparency in relation to the sustainability of
product packaging and we are switching brands if the product packaging does not
appear sufficiently environmentally friendly or recyclable.
What UK consumers want from their packaging
88% of UK’s consumers want
on-pack information relating to packaging sustainability
9 out of 10 shoppers in the UK
want all packaging to be classed as recyclable
8 out of 10 Britons think there
should be a tax on packaging manufacturers who use less than 30% recycled
content in their products.
68% of UK consumers say the
environmental impact of a product’s packaging will affect their purchasing
choice. This rises to 77% amongst German
consumers and 81% for Spanish consumers
92% of Europeans would choose the
plastic free option for a product when offered a choice between cardboard based
or plastic-based packaging for the same item.
With these stats in mind, updating your product packaging
has never been more important and without doubt this will have an impact on
product purchases now and in the future.
We have seen many bold moves from larger corporations paving the way for
more plastic free packaging. There are many cardboard packaging options already
available, making it easy for all businesses, regardless of size to become
invested.
In 2018 Sainsbury’s developed a sustainable and airtight
cardboard container for some of their food packaging. This claimed to reduce
plastic content by 85% compared with other widely used alternatives. It was created for meat and poultry distribution,
the carton facilitates the removal of oxygen from inside the pack, thereby
extending the product shelf life and maintaining food freshness. It does still contain a laminated film which
is applied to the cardboard, but significantly reduces the amount of plastic
material used. It can also go straight into the recycling after use.
How can you update
your packaging?
There are many ways in which you can update your packaging,
the most obvious and visible to the consumer is removing any plastic and opting
for cardboard instead. With so many
cardboard materials and strengths available today, cardboard packaging is more
versatile than ever. Cardboard can be
used to house almost any product and is used as a container for distribution as
well as for primary retail packaging.
Complex and innovative designs can produce strong, long lasting
packaging solutions that can hold their own in many different markets.
Cardboard packaging can be minimal and raw in its appearance
or, with the advancements of water-based inks and vegetable-based ink pigments,
can be printed upon to produce a different look and feel, whilst keeping all of
the recycling credentials intact.
Many general packaging consumables can also be swapped for a
more environmentally sound product. Paper nuts in place of polystyrene packing
peanuts, Kraft food trays in place of plastic takeaway packaging containers,
Bio-plastics, cardboard food trays etc. . . the list is extensive.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your new recyclable
packaging solution and receive a no obligation re-design and quotation.
