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Consumers favour recyclable cardboard packaging

ProCarton has carried out a survey on the reusable packaging obligation in the to-go sector and found a low level of acceptance of mandatory deposit systems. 

The European Association of the Cartonboard and Folding Carton Industry has conducted a survey among German consumers on the mandatory returnable to-go system. The survey revealed that two thirds of respondents have a low level of acceptance of mandatory deposit systems. 

More than 1,000 German consumers have been contacted in connection with the latest developments on reuse instead of recycling, on their preferences for packaging materials from ProCarton interviewed.

Two thirds (66 per cent) of respondents expressed a low level of acceptance of mandatory deposit systems and stated that a mandatory minimum deposit system for reusable plastic packaging would reduce the frequency with which they demand the products in question. 28 per cent would not be influenced by this and just 6 per cent of respondents were in favour of the measure and would possibly increase their consumption or order frequency.

Fast food restaurants show a largely identical pattern of behaviour: 61 per cent prefer to recycle their packagingcompared to 39 per cent who prefer to pick up reusable plastic packaging, rinse it and hand it in at a collection point. The There is little trust in restaurants to clean reusable plastic packaging properlyand one wonders whether sales outlets can guarantee the necessary food hygiene.

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Consumer preference for recycling

Almost two thirds of those surveyed would more likely or much more likely to choose a brand that uses recyclable packagingthan for a competitor that uses reusable plastic packaging. Investments and developments in this area are also favoured: More than two thirds (67 per cent) want brands to invest in biodegradable cardboard packaging that can be recycled rather than reusable plastic packaging (33 per cent).

"We have no doubt that, in addition to recyclable packaging made from renewable, organic raw materials, reusable packaging can also be useful. A scientific analysis is crucial in order to define the packaging with the lowest environmental impact. In addition to the CO2 water consumption and higher transport volumes must also be taken into account. However, if we rely exclusively on reusable plastic packaging, we run the risk of destroying the excellent circular economy for fibre-based packaging and defining legal targets that harm the environment and the resilience of the economy and lead to additional costs for consumers, thereby fuelling inflation again. The Consumer participation is crucial in order to achieve high return and rotation rates. to achieve. There will be different requirements for out-of-home consumption and on-site consumption, for the city and for locations outside the city. Even if reusable packaging is suitable for certain purposes, it is not a universal solution. Both approaches can complement each other to develop the circular economy for environmentally friendly packaging in line with the ambition of the EU Green Deal. We urge decision-makers to listen to the voice of consumers and use science to determine the best packaging system to deliver the best solution for the environment, the consumer and the European economy's independence from imports."

Winfried MühlingDirector of Marketing and Communication at Pro Carton

Source: ProCarton

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