Environment a major factor in packaging decisions says survey
A survey by communication, research and networking platform The Packaging Community has found that decision makers in packaging field now place environmental concerns above traditional criteria. Over half of the 650 decision-makers questioned (57%) said that the sustainability challenge had an important impact on their choices and over a third (35%) believed that packaging would become more environmentally-friendly. Retail requirements like space utility and ease of storage remained the most pressing concerns. However, traditional criteria such as brand differentiation, convenience and protection ranked lower in the respondents’ list of priorities than sustainability.
A survey by communication, research and networking platform The Packaging Community has found that decision makers in packaging field now place environmental concerns above traditional criteria. Over half of the 650 decision-makers questioned (57%) said that the sustainability challenge had an important impact on their choices and over a third (35%) believed that packaging would become more environmentally-friendly. Retail requirements like space utility and ease of storage remained the most pressing concerns. However, traditional criteria such as brand differentiation, convenience and protection ranked lower in the respondents’ list of priorities than sustainability.
Decision-makers questioned by The Packaging Community were apparently divided in their opinions regarding the impact of the economic crisis. While 27% considered it to have no impact on their decisions, 19% believed that the price of packaging would rise and 15% expected it to become cheaper.
In addition, 43% of those questioned felt they could not take a clear position regarding what they wanted from their packaging. According to The Packaging Community, this lack of clarity is due to present uncertainty regarding the future requirements for packaging.
The survey was carried out by ITC who questioned brand owners, retailers, regulators and NGOs from France, Spain, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.