Almost two thirds (62%) of Europeans would be willing to pay a premium price for products that use packaging with less plastic.
These were the findings of a recent survey of 3,000 people in the UK, Germany, Poland and Belgium, conducted by the sustainable packaging provider, DS Smith.
According to the survey, when offered a choice between two packaging options for the same quality of product, the majority of participants (91.5%), agreed that they would choose the packaging with less plastic.
86% of participants said that environmental issues are a major concern facing society today, with packaging waste being a major worry for many consumers across Europe.
The German participants expressed the most concern around packaging (83%), followed by the Brits (78%).
As a result of this growing concern, an average of six out of 10 respondents said that they now sort and recycle more than they did five years ago, with the UK leading the way (64%).
The survey also revealed that media coverage and the removal of plastic bags from shops are the two main drivers for consumer awareness of the issues around packaging in Europe.
Managing director of DS Smith packaging, Chris Murray said: ‘Excessive packaging and plastic packaging are a real worry for Europe’s consumers, so much so that they are now willing to pay for less plastic in their packaging.’
‘Europeans have really upped their game and are now sorting and recycling more than five years ago.’
‘For the sake of our planet we need to create a truly circular economy where packaging is reduced to the minimum necessary, and consumer goods packaging is increasingly made from and with recyclable and recycled materials like cardboard and carton.’
In related news, more people than ever before are worried about threats to the natural environment.
Natural England’s annual Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey revealed that nine in 10 people are concerned about damage to nature.
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