Over the last ten years, we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century, but with the devastating impact that single use plastic has on the environment being highlighted by the recent Blue Planet II series, more businesses and consumers than ever are throwing their support behind the war against plastic.
As part of its Environmental Innovations series, exploring how British businesses and consumers are becoming more environmentally friendly, innovation specialist MPA has explored the statistics behind the British public’s perceptions of a plastic-free society.
Research conducted by MPA found that more than four in five (83 per cent) Brits support the plastic straw ban, the government initiative that will see plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds prohibited in England from April 2020. A similar level (88 per cent) say that they always make an effort to recycle, although 60 per cent of respondents admit they need help to reduce the amount of plastic that they use. More than 3 per cent, the equivalent of two million UK adults, admit to never recycling any plastic.
The top five most common personal efforts to reduce packaging include:
1. Trying to re-use disposable items (e.g. plastic bags) – 67 per cent
2. Making an effort to buy fewer goods with packaging that cannot be recycled – 32 per cent
3. Making an effort to buy more products made from recycled materials – 24 per cent
4. Trying to avoid supermarkets and shops that do not use recyclable packaging – 8 per cent
5. Paying extra for goods that with 100 per cent recyclable packaging – 6 per cent
Although the public were overwhelmingly in favour of the changes and are seemingly making an effort to reduce plastic waste, one in six (17 per cent) don’t think the plastic pledge will make a difference to the level of waste produced. A further one in ten (9 per cent) believe there is no difference in plastic or paper bags in the context of the environment.
The knock-on effect of more consumers making a conscious decision to use more sustainable packaging also has implications for businesses – particularly ones that offer customers sustainable options.
Just 26 per cent of Brits wouldn’t pay more for products that are good for the environment, although a similar number (28 per cent) say they do take into consideration whether or not a product is labelled as environmentally friendly before making a purchase.
However, this isn’t the case for all consumer goods, with half of Brits admitting they would not wear eco-clothing that can be worn without the need for washing.
Stuart Bentley, delivery manager at MPA, said: “Packaging is a huge industry in the UK, accounting for annual sales of around £11 billion, and our research has found that consumers are shunning single use plastics and unsustainable packaging in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint. Although there is some way to go before we become a completely plastic-free society, government schemes such as the plastic straw ban and its investment into making the country a global leader in sustainable packaging will definitely play its part.
“Arguably, the packaging industry is the sector which has had the biggest overhaul in recent years, but several companies are continuing to innovate, and as a result, are playing a leading role in offering consumers the chance to make more sustainable choices.”
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