The consumer goods industry is already changing rapidly, and it will continue to do so as more consumers become conscious of their environmental impacts and the recyclability of the products that they buy. Food and beverage companies have responded well to this and have implemented recyclable packaging initiatives to cater for the growth in local food deliveries. Consumer goods firms are also working with research & development teams to create circular packaging by design. But what do consumers really think about sustainable products? Do they care about recyclability? Let's find out.
A study conducted by Daloop in 2020 found that 69% of Americans would recycle more if it were easier, and 66% said they would be willing to pay more for sustainable products. This means that there is a huge opportunity for businesses to make recycling more accessible and to create sustainable products that consumers will be happy to pay a premium for.
However, another study conducted by Ipsos in 2019 found that only 8% of people said they would pay more for environmentally friendly products, regardless of whether or not those products were actually recycled. This suggests that there is still some way to go in terms of convincing consumers that recyclability is important.
One way to do this is by educating consumers on the benefits of recycling. For example, did you know that recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours? Or that recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours?
Introducing them to the concept of circular packaging - which is packaging that can be reused or recycled over and over again - could also help change their perceptions. After all, if consumers know that they don't have to choose between being sustainable and being convenient, they're much more likely to make sustainable choices.
There's no doubt that consumer sentiments are changing when it comes to sustainable products. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of recyclability, and businesses are starting to respond with initiatives like recyclable packaging and circular packaging by design. However, there is still some work to be done in terms of convincing consumers that recyclability is important and that sustainable products can be just as convenient as traditional products. Education and awareness-raising campaigns are key here, as is making sustainable choices easier for consumers by investing in infrastructure like recycle bins and recycling centers.