Germans act sustainably when dealing with packaging. This was the result of a survey commissioned by the dvi for the German Packaging Congress 2018.
19. June 2018
Results of the dvi survey at the German Packaging Congress 2018: Sustainability plays a greater role
Germans are in favour of even more packaging recycling and generally do not want to do without packaging. This is according to survey results presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) at the start of the German Packaging Congress in Berlin on 22 March 2018.
According to the congress organiser, the representative survey conducted by tns-infratest on behalf of the dvi paints a picture of environmentally conscious citizens who think sustainably. 68.2 per cent of respondents stated that they buy and consume more consciously today than in the past. 64.1 per cent are careful to throw away less.
More personal responsibility required for packaging waste
Well over half agreed that it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that no waste is thrown into nature. No majority agreed that higher penalties or a general deposit requirement for packaging should be introduced to curb packaging waste in nature. However, the approval ratings were still high at 42 and 32.6 per cent respectively.
The survey institute also found a majority in favour of expanding plastic recycling. 53.8 per cent of respondents were in favour of collecting and recycling other plastic products in addition to plastic packaging. Around the same number of people would also be prepared to support the establishment of such expanded recycling structures with subsidies.
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Plastic bags less popular, hardly anyone buys loose products
Consumers' preference for packaged products is clear. Only 27.7 per cent of interviewees generally bought loose, unpackaged goods. All others favoured packaging for reasons of cost, hygiene and practicality.
Plastic bags, on the other hand, have become much less popular. According to the survey, only 4.5 per cent of people still buy a plastic bag in the shop. In contrast, 80.4 per cent of consumers bring their own containers to transport their purchases.
dvi CEO Thomas Reiner feels vindicated by the survey results: „Since the early 1990s, packaging has been a pioneer in recycling and the circular economy,“ he commented on the sustainability strategy of the packaging industry and the dvi. He emphasised packaging's contribution to security of supply: „It enables the population to be supplied with all everyday goods safely. If the goods spoil or are damaged because we want to save on packaging, the ecological, economic and social damage is far greater.“
80.4 per cent of Germans bring their own transport containers to the shop
Packaging industry will assume responsibility
Thomas Reiner
„Major issues such as urbanisation, globalisation, demographic change and sustainability present us with major challenges. Packaging helps us to meet these challenges. To this end, companies in the packaging industry must and will continue to take responsibility and provide solutions.“, Thomas Reiner, Chairman of the dvi.
