The Two Sides European Packaging study reveals why consumers prefer paper/cardboard for its sustainability and what retailers can learn from their packaging preferences.
Over the past few months, there have been a number of products that have emerged as essential. One of those products is paper/cardboard packaging. With an increased demand for home delivery and e-commerce, sustainable packaging has become increasingly vital at a time when consumer items and medical products need to be shipped quickly and safely all around the world.
But do people care what their packaging is made of?
Are they trying to increase their use of recyclable packaging?
Are they aware of the sustainable benefits of paper/cardboard packaging?
Two Sides decided to find out…
The Two Sides European Packaging Preferences 2020 study aims to explore and understand consumer preferences, perceptions and attitudes towards packaging. 5,900 consumers from nine European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the UK took part in the survey.
People prefer paper packaging!
In the survey, respondents were asked to choose their preferred packaging material based on 15 environmental, practical and visual attributes. Options were: paper/cardboard, glass, metal or plastic.
10 Reasons why paper and card are ideal for packaging…
- Better for the environment – 63% of respondents said paper/card was better for the environment.
- Easier to recycle – 57% of respondents said paper/card was easier to recycle.
- Home-compostable – 72% of respondents said paper/card was their preferred choice for home-composting.
- Lighter in weight – 62% of respondents said paper/card was lighter.
- Easier to open and close – 41% of respondents said paper/card was easier to open and close.
- Less expensive – 54% of respondents said paper/card was less expensive.
- Easier to store – 41% of respondents said paper/card was easier to store.
- Safer to use – 37% of respondents said paper/card was safer to use.
- More practical – 40% of respondents said paper/card was more practical.
- Shows better product information – 36% of respondents said paper/card shows better product information.
“Packaging was placed firmly on the agenda for consumers after thought-provoking documentaries such as David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2, which demonstrated the impact our waste is having on the natural environment.”
Jonathan Tame, Managing Director of Two Sides.
Throughout the survey the findings strongly reflect increasing consumer awareness of how packaging is impacting the planet, particularly its biodiversity and wildlife, something that’s changing business attitudes regarding their environmental policies and use of packaging. Companies know they must be aware of consumer opinion of the environment and react to it.