The general public are registering the efforts of industry wide initiatives to reduce both the amount and environmental impact of food and drink packaging. This was the first of the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) consumer attitudes surveys to ask questions about packaging efficiency and sustainability.
According to the FDF’s spring survey 47 per cent of consumers have noticed a reduction in the amount of packaging used by the food and drink industry. Many people commented on coffee, Easter eggs and bagged milk being good examples of this. 66 per cent of people reported that manufacturers were using recyclable, reusable or biodegradable materials in their packaging.
The survey also revealed that there is widespread public enthusiasm for industry initiatives, 83 per cent of respondents said that reducing packaging waste was important to them, 80 per cent wanted more use of recycled materials and 75 per cent thought that locally sourced materials and ingredients were important.
This survey shows there is public support for retailers and producers to meet the Courtauld target and reduce the carbon impact of packaging by 10 per cent by the end of the year. The FDF’s bi-annual consumer attitudes survey is performed by market research company Harris on 1100 people.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.