A RECENT poll suggested the public are happy to pay more for products which are good for the environment – particularly among younger shoppers.
In Germany 60% said they would pay more, while in the UK it was 57%, 58% in the US and 53% in Australia. However, just 27% in Japan said they would pay.
The YouGov poll also showed a difference in attitudes among different age groups – with 69% of people born after 2000 saying they would pay more, whereas the figure was just 53% for people questioned born between 1946 and 1965.
Simon Balderson, Sirane MD, said: “These findings suggest that there is an appetite for change, even if truly sustainable packaging comes at an increased cost. It also suggests that this issue is not going away, as the younger shoppers are more concerned about the future and are more prepared to effect change.”
The poll showed in the UK that the amount who said they would pay extra was 69% (born 2000 or later); 63% (born 1982-1999); 53% (born 1965-1981) and 53% (born 1946-1965) – suggesting a generational shift in attitudes. The same pattern was evident in the poll in the UK, with 63%, 64%, 56% and 53%.
Simon Balderson added: “If you speak to any young people at schools, or at university, they are very concerned about issues like this. These figures will only go one way, with the issue becoming more and more important.
“And obviously packaging plays a crucial role here, the product itself could be eco-friendly and sustainably produced, but the packaging may put shoppers off – and that’s where companies like Sirane now have a big role to play.”
Sirane’s range of plastic-free packaging solutions includes our paper-based stand-up pouches, Earthpouch, and paper-based flow-wrap film Earthfilm. We also offer both compostable and paper-based absorbent pads, and products such as compostable cling-film, compostable shrink-film for fresh produce and bio-films.
In addition, Sirane offers a range of board-based products, including our new and award-winning recyclable sandwich skillet, the Earthwedge. Many of our other board products, including cake boards, patisserie boards, pizza boards, etc, can be offered using eco-friendly coatings which mean the products can be recycled.
We recently added plastic-free salmon boards and VSP boards to our range.
“Paper and board, combined with coatings, can often provide an alternative to plastic,”, added Simon, “and a lot of our work at the moment is developing solutions along these lines, replacing plastics where it is logical to do so.
“However, not all plastics can be removed from the supply chain. It is just not possible, and we know that. We offer products such as PE bags and pouches, including multi-layer laminates, which can still be recycled.
“And our development team is working on new ideas all the time, including both plastic replacement and recyclable plastics, new bio films and more, so it really is a case of watch this space, to see what the next great solution is…”
We also have solutions for the horticultural market – such as our plastic-free Earthboard Tree-Guards, which can be used to protect saplings.