A recent study conducted before the ban was implemented said that nearly two-thirds of consumers believe that paper packaging is more environmentally friendly.

In March 2020, independent research company Toluna was commissioned by paper advocacy group Two Sides to conduct a survey of 5,900 European consumers about packaging preferences, perceptions and attitudes. The results show that paper or cardboard packaging is favored because of its many specific properties.

63% think the carton is more environmentally friendly, 57% think the carton is easier to recycle, and 72% think the carton is easier to compost at home.

Three-tenths of consumers believe that paper or cardboard is the most recycled packaging material. They believe that 60% of paper and cardboard are recycled (the actual recovery rate is 85%).

About half of the respondents (51%) tend to use glass packaging to protect the product, while 41% of respondents prefer the look and feel of glass.

Consumers believe that glass is the second largest recyclable packaging material, followed by metal. However, the actual recovery rates are 74% and 80%, respectively.

In addition, the survey shows that consumers' attitudes toward plastic packaging are mostly negative.

Jonathan Tame, Managing Director of Two Sides, said: "After showing the impact of our garbage on the natural environment in thought-provoking documentaries such as" Blue Planet 2 "by David Attenborough, the packaging was firmly put on the consumer 'S agenda. "

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of the respondents indicated that they are actively taking measures to reduce the use of plastic packaging, while 63% of consumers believe its recycling rate is lower than 40% (42% of plastic packaging in Europe is recycled) use).

Consumers across Europe say they are willing to change their behavior and shop in a more sustainable way. 44% of consumers are willing to spend more on products packaged with sustainable materials, while 48% of consumers Thinking that retailers have done too little to reduce product waste, they are willing to consider avoiding retailers and reducing the use of non-recyclable packaging.

Tame said: "Consumers are becoming more aware of the packaging options for the goods they buy, which in turn puts pressure on companies, especially retail companies."

It is undeniable that the packaging industry's "manufacturing, use, disposal" behavior is slowly changing ...