Packaging is key issue among consumer sustainability concerns (Part 2)
The Packer’s research shows there are a variety of sustainability issues consumers are concerned about, but single-use plastic packaging may be a good starting point since consumers are more optimistic it can be solved in their lifetime.
Growers and consumers were asked, “Please rank which sustainability issues you are most optimistic can be solved in your lifetime where 1 is most optimistic and 6 is least optimistic.”
Their responses (percent is total of first and second choice selected):
- Single use plastic packaging: growers, 38%; consumers, 41%;
- Food waste: growers, 30%; consumers, 38%;
- Overuse of ag inputs: growers, 42%; consumers, 33%;
- Water availability: growers, 32%; consumers, 33%;
- Farmworker welfare (fair wages): growers, 42%; consumers, 32%;
- Greenhouse gas emissions: growers, 15%; consumers, 24%.
When growers and consumers were asked, “Please rank which sustainability issues you are most anxious about solving in your lifetime where 1 is most anxious and 6 is least anxious,” they answered:
- Water availability: growers, 56%; consumers, 41%;
- Greenhouse gas emissions: growers, 18%; consumers, 36%;
- Food waste: growers, 29%; consumers, 35%;
- Overuse of ag inputs: growers, 43%; consumers, 33%;
- Single use plastic packaging: growers, 15%; consumers, 30%;
- Farmworker welfare: growers, 40%; consumers, 24%.
The Packer’s research indicates packaging has the most impact on sustainability according to consumers which is good news since disposing of packaging is the responsibility of consumers.
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When consumers were asked, “Please rate the following innovations in terms of sustainability impact,” they responded:
- Recyclable packaging: extremely impactful, 38%; very impactful, 34%;
- Biodegradable packaging: extremely impactful, 36%; very impactful, 34%;
- Compostable packaging: extremely impactful, 34%; very impactful, 33%;
- Low carbon footprint: extremely impactful 33%; very impactful 31%;
- Urban vertical farming: extremely impactful, 24%; very impactful, 33%;
- Biological fertilizer: extremely impactful 23%; very impactful 34%;
- Low energy-consumption lighting: extremely impactful, 24%; very impactful, 27%;
- Transparency blockchain: extremely impactful, 21%; very impactful, 27%.
According to The Packer’s research, biodegradable packaging has a slight edge over recyclable packaging with both consumers and growers.
Consumers who said eco-friendly packaging defines sustainability were asked “Which of the following packaging solutions do you prefer?” and responded this way:
- Biodegradable packaging: 49%;
- Recyclable: 42%;
- Compostable: 9%.
- Growers who said eco-friendly packaging defines sustainability were asked the same question and responded this way:
- Biodegradable: 53%;
- Recyclable: 40%;
- Compostable: 8%.
Half of growers feel processors are most responsible for sustainable packaging.
In The Packer’s research, growers were asked “Who is most responsible for providing sustainable packaging?” and responded:
- Processors/packers: 48%;
- Retailers: 21%;
- Growers: 19%; and
- Wholesalers: 12%.
Only about half of those preferring recyclable packaging are consistently recycling it. Biodegradable packaging can simply be disposed of by the consumer and the result has a positive sustainable effect.
Consumers who say they prefer recyclable packaging were asked “How often do you recycle each of the following?” and responded:
- Primary packaging (produce trays and wraps); always recycle, 53%; usually, 18%; sometimes, 18%;
- Secondary package (cartons); always recycle, 46%; usually recycle, 31%; sometimes recycle, 17%; and
- Shopping bags: always recycle, 50%; usually recycle, 31%; sometimes recycle, 15%.
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