With the majority of global consumers already recycling, demand for environmentally-friendly packaging will increase further in response to heightened publicity around plastics ending up in the ocean, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
According to GlobalData’s 3rd quarter 2016 global consumer survey, 65% of consumers globally always or mostly recycle product packaging and 53% always or mostly avoid excessively packaged grocery products.
“Consumers are highly sensitive to the environmental implications of packaging formats. While the implications of product formulation have long been a focus of consumers, it is becoming clear that the packaging waste produced by everyday purchases also has a detrimental effect on the environment,” says Peter Hays, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData.
GlobalData’s 1st quarter 2017 global consumer survey found that consumers consider packaging recyclability to be the most important factor when it comes to environmentally-friendly packaging, but that view is likely to shift as awareness builds.
“While packaging recyclability is laudable, the recycling process requires additional energy. A more environmentally friendly packaging format might use recyclable materials while also reducing unnecessary packaging. Better still would be offering consumers reusable packaging," adds Hays.