NEWS | Industry Updates Six in 10 Europeans willing to pay more for reduced plastic packaging


concerning, cited by an average of seven in 10 respondents – way more than the next most worrying issue, coffee capsules, mentioned by 6%. Metal packaging (aluminium cans and trays, etc) was a concern for


5% of respondents, and waterproof-coated packaging for liquids like milk and fruit juices for 4% of respondents. On the other end of the scale, the packaging option of least


concern for Europeans is packaging cartons – cited by just 1% of respondents across the four countries. But the good news is that the survey also reveals that Europeans’


Six in 10 (62%) European consumers say they would be willing to put their money where their mouth is and pay more for food products that contain less plastic packaging. A similar number (59%) say they sort and recycle more than they did five years ago. When offered a choice between two packaging options for the


same quality of product, a huge majority across Europe – nine in 10 respondents (91.5%) – said they would choose the packaging with 85% less plastic. When asked if they would pay a 12½% premium for this reduced-plastic packaging option, 62% of respondents said they were willing to do so. These are just some of the results emerging from new research from


DS Smith, Europe’s leading sustainable packaging company. The findings are the outcome of a specially-commissioned survey of 3,395 respondents across DS Smith’s key markets of Belgium, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom that took place in July 2019 which sought to understand consumers’ attitudes and habits on packaging, recycling and waste management. Respondents in Belgium were most price sensitive, where just over


half (54%) said they’d be willing to pay more, whereas Poles were most willing (72%) to pay for less plastic in their packaging. The British and Germans were closer to the European average, with 60 and 63% respectively saying they’d pay more.


Plastic packaging: Europe’s bête noire An overwhelming majority of those surveyed – 86% – say that environmental issues are the major concern facing society today, with packaging a major worry for consumers right across Europe, from Cardiff to Krakow. The Germans express most angst around packaging (83%), followed by the Brits (78%), Belgians (73%) and Poles (71%). In terms of packaging itself, plastic clearly emerges as the most


recycling habits have improved significantly. An average of six in 10 (59%) respondents across the four markets surveyed say they sort and recycle more now than they did five years ago. This represents a majority of respondents in all countries – with those in the UK leading the way (64%). This could be because those in the UK say they both feel better


informed about and pay more attention to recycling. The survey revealed media coverage and the removal of plastic bags in shops as the two main drivers for consumers’ awareness of the issues around packaging Europe, which were cited by 30% and 24% of Britons respectively. Fully two-thirds of Britons (66%) say that they both feel sufficiently informed of the recyclability of food packaging and look at the presence of recycled materials in packaging when shopping for food. Commenting on the survey findings Chris Murray, managing


director of DS Smith Packaging UK said: “Excessive packaging and plastic packaging are a real worry for


Europe’s consumers – so much so that they’re now willing to pay for less plastic in their packaging. Europeans have really upped their game and are sorting and recycling more than just five years ago. It’s also very encouraging that they rightly understand that carton packaging is of much less concern: it’s a sustainable packaging alternative to plastic, and hugely recyclable. “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.” The survey revealed media coverage and the removal of plastic


bags in shops as the two main drivers for consumers’ awareness of the issues around packaging across Europe, cited by 30% and 26% respectively.


Coaltown Coffee becomes one of the first to be B Corp certified


Coaltown Coffee Roasters, an independent coffee roastery based in Ammanford, South Wales, has become one of the first B Corp certified coffee companies in the UK. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest


standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower


levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose. As a B Corp, Coaltown is committed to behaving responsibly


towards people and the planet. To become a B Corp, it had to undertake the B Impact Assessment. This rigorous process evaluates how its operations


and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers. From its supply chain and input materials to its charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification proves a business is meeting the highest standards of verified performance. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine


success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, forming a community of leaders to drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Scott James, founder of Coaltown Coffee, said: "Coaltown is B-


Corp and B-Corp is Coaltown. Our founding principles were to be ethical, transparent and sustainable and B-Corp has allowed us to follow set guidelines to ensure that we keep this promise. It’s been a massive achievement to receive this commendation and all companies should strive for this as a standard for our future."


10 | vendinginternational-online.com


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