ThePackHub Weekly Snapshot Update

Welcome to ThePackHub's latest LinkedIn newsletter and the first of 2024. ??

This is our account of the world of packaging innovation, focusing on recently published packaging research and studies.?Managing Director Paul Jenkins will continue to provide lots of news and views and his LinkedIn weekly newsletter (make sure you also subscribe).

Each week, we will focus on interesting packaging studies coming to ThePackHub's attention. So here goes...

Consumer Sentiments and Environmental Shifts: Insights from a Europe-wide Packaging Survey

According to a Europe-wide survey commissioned by metal packaging producer Eviosys - a Sonoco Company , a majority of consumers in the UK, France, Germany, and Spain believe that the gifting season contributes to wasteful behaviour, highlighting a growing environmental awareness related to gift-related packaging practices.

The survey reveals shifting consumer priorities with concerns about the cost of living. Notably, respondents express frustration with the prevalent use of plastic in supermarkets, indicating a demand for alternatives. Consumer willingness to embrace sustainable packaging is evident, with an expressed readiness to pay more for products packaged in materials other than plastic.

The survey emphasizes a preference for metal packaging, with participants perceiving it as more sustainable than plastic. Furthermore, respondents are more likely to purchase products packaged in metal due to its recyclable nature.

The survey underscores consumers' influence on purchasing decisions, revealing a priority for reusability over luxury or design considerations, while a significant percentage feel companies are not doing enough to combat plastic pollution, indicating a call for increased corporate responsibility and a positive shift in consumer perceptions towards eco-friendly alternatives.

• 87% of consumers in the UK, France, Germany, and Spain believe the gifting season contributes to wasteful behavior, according to a survey commissioned by Eviosys.
• 57% of surveyed consumers express a willingness to pay more for products packaged in materials other than plastic.
• 82% of participants are more likely to purchase products packaged in metal due to its recyclable nature.

Research Source: Eviosys

Unveiling Environmental Impacts: The Packaging Waste Surge Amidst Online Shopping Growth

The rise in packaging waste due to the surge in online shopping is prompting significant environmental concerns. Our study, based on county-level data, underscores the substantial impact of online shopping on packaging waste generation.

It highlights the urgent need for policies to mitigate the environmental consequences of the increased packaging waste from online shopping. Despite the reduction in consumer travel costs and associated air pollutant emissions, the considerable rise in packaging waste remains a critical issue. Notably, the research indicates that choosing online spending over offline results in a noteworthy increase in packaging waste. Extrapolating from the current growth rate, the study suggests that online shopping could contribute significantly to the overall increase in total waste over the next decade.

This research, rooted in Korean data, underscores the necessity for environmentally conscious policies to address the escalating challenges posed by the growing packaging waste attributed to online shopping.

• Online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than offline shopping for the same spending.
• Spending $100 online instead of offline adds 3.4 kg of packaging waste, comprising 1.06% of total waste per capita annually.
• Projected growth suggests online shopping could contribute to over a 10% increase in total waste in the next decade.

Research Source : Science Direct

Packaging Preferences in E-commerce: Navigating Size, Sustainability, and Delivery Challenges

The delivery Packaging 2023 report emphasises the importance of right-sized packaging for e-commerce shoppers, highlighting the potential drawbacks of larger parcels filled with excess air.

A RetailX consumer survey indicates a significant portion of respondents expressing a preference for avoiding online retailers using oversized packaging, with a notable segment feeling strongly about this issue. Younger consumers, especially millennials, play a leading role in demanding well-fitting parcels. Overpackaging, as evidenced by Amazon customers' comments since 2009, attracts criticism. Retailers are urged to address these concerns due to increased customer vocalization about waste and negative delivery experiences impacting brand loyalty.

The report also notes a growing trend of adapting packaging to fit letterboxes, aiming to improve first-time delivery success and counter parcel theft challenges. The feature explores innovative packaging solutions and discusses evolving retailer approaches in the report.

• 67% of respondents in a RetailX survey would avoid online retailers using oversized packaging, with 29% expressing strong concern.
• Since 2009, Amazon customers have submitted 33 million packaging-related comments, ratings, and photographs.
• Parcel theft in the UK recorded a 5% increase between 2021 and 2022, costing an estimated ￡320 million in missing goods.

Research Source : DeliveryX

Navigating Economic Strains: Consumer Sustainability Priorities and Packaging's Role

By the close of 2023, European shoppers may experience some relief as inflation slows. However, the ongoing cost of living strain persists causing economic slowdowns across Europe.

Consumers' sustainability concerns drive choices amid these challenges, with packaging playing a crucial role in conveying environmental impact information. U.K. shoppers remain committed to limiting single-use plastic, and despite affordability barriers, there is a growing anticipation of increased consumer demand for sustainability in 2024.

Businesses are encouraged to invest in sustainable innovations, maintain stable prices, and educate consumers about sustainability goals, utilizing packaging as a crucial tool for information delivery and sustainable innovation.

• 75% of U.K. consumers prioritize companies' environmental commitments, with one-third open to switching to more sustainable brands.
• 55% prefer getting environmental impact information directly from packaging.
• Affordability is a hurdle, with 62% citing high prices as a deterrent to sustainable shopping, and 52% wanting more affordable sustainable alternatives, per Deloitte research.

Research Source: Elopak

Until next time, happy innovating!