Cardboard packaging is very popular with consumers

Since the coronavirus pandemic and the positive impact of global lockdowns on the state of the environment, thousands of Germans have changed their behaviour due to increased concerns about climate change. This is according to a new study by Perspectus Global, commissioned by Pro Carton, the European Association of the Cartonboard and Carton Industry.

According to the survey, more than a third (38 per cent) of German consumers surveyed said that their concerns about the environment had increased as a result of the Covid pandemic. The survey was conducted in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Turkey, Poland, the Benelux countries and the UK among 7,051 Europeans one year after the first coronavirus case occurred in Wuhan, China. Of the 1,005 adult consumers surveyed in Germany Almost half (45 per cent) say they now recycle more than in the previous year. In addition, two out of five consumers (40 per cent) have taken steps to reduce their water consumption.

The environmental impact of packaging also played a role in changing consumer behaviour and many have changed their shopping habits in this regard since the outbreak of the pandemic. More than six out of ten consumers (62 per cent) in Germany stated that that the impact of packaging on the environment influences their purchasing decisionsand only 11 per cent said that their purchasing decisions were unaffected.