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What kind of packaging would we give up for Mother Earth?

According to a Nielsen Global Food Packaging Survey, nearly one in two global consumers would give up all forms of packaging designed for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment, including packaging designed for easy stacking/storing at home (49%); packaging that can be used for cooking, or doubles as a resealable container (48%); and packaging designed for easy transport (47%).

At the other end of the scale, the Nielsen survey found that consumers were least willing to give up packaging designed to keep products clean and untouched by others (27%); packaging designed to keep products in good condition (30%); packaging information in the form of food labeling, cooking and usage instructions (33%); and packaging that preserves products to make them last longer/stay fresher (34%).

One in 10 global consumers was not prepared to give up any aspect of packaging for the benefit of the environment.

"Our survey found consumers' responses toward packaging reflected regional and lifestyle factors, which are all important considerations for Consumer Packaged Goods [CPG] companies," says Patrick Dodd, president, The Nielsen Company, Europe.

Generally, Europeans and North Americans were in agreement on the kinds of packaging they would forego to help the environment. Nearly 60% of Europeans and North Americans would give up packaging designed for stacking and storing at home, and 55% also said they were willing to give up packs that can be cooked in or kept at home as a resealable container.

Among Asians, however, 42% said they would be prepared to give up stack-and-store packaging, and only 39% would be prepared to forego "easily transportable" packaging. "Asian homes tend to be smaller and have limited storage space, so stack-and-store options are more practical and preferable," observes Dodd. "Asian lifestyles also determine that Asians are least likely to give up convenience packaging that can be cooked in or kept at home as a resealable container, and easy-to-transport packaging."

More than 70% of Finish, Irish, Norwegian, and New Zealand consumers said they would be prepared to give up stack-and-store packaging, and over 65% of Irish, Czech, and New Zealand consumers said they would be prepared to give up convenience packaging for the benefit of the environment.

Interestingly, environmentally aware New Zealanders topped global rankings as the nation most prepared to give up all these packaging aspects for the sake of the environment. This may in large part be due to high levels of "eco-consciousness," including in-store reminders and recyclable bag merchandising by supermarkets, and weekly recyclable rubbish collection instituted by local authorities in most cities. ...Read more