ALPHARETTA, GA — Recyclable and recycled content are the most important environmental attributes consumers look for in beverage packaging, and many have changed what types of packaging they buy based on environmental impacts, says a new survey.
The BeveragePulse.com survey, a collaboration of Concept Catalysts and iModerate Research Technologies, was based on 521 interviews and 40 chat sessions with consumers from across the U.S. to gather information on what influences their packaged beverage purchases.
The most important environmental issue named was recycling, cited by 45 percent, followed by 20 percent who are most concerned about waste going to landfills.
About 33 percent said the most important attribute of environmentally-friendly packaging is a high recycling rate. Twenty-three percent chose high recycled content, and 20 percent said use of renewable resources.
Environmental concerns have led to all types of consumer buying changes, but different understandings of the environmental impacts of packaging led to conflicting answers.
About 60 percent said they are buying less plastic bottles than a year ago for environmental reasons. But fewer than 30 percent also said they are buying less cans and glass for environmental reasons. On the other hand, more than 30 percent each said they are buy more cans and glass than a year ago for environmental reasons. About 15 percent said they are buying more plastic for environmental reasons.
While glass and aluminum cans are endlessly recyclable back into themselves, plastic is not. However, glass also weighs more than plastic, leading to higher transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
When asked what packaging is best for the environment, most chose glass, followed by cans and plastic. But, when asked which is most sustainable, plastic took second place.
The survey found that 46 percent of respondents said they don't know what sustainability means or they interpreted it wrong, thinking it referred to the durability, strength, breakability or degradability of packaging.
Packaging - CC license by Flickr user bensonkua
Yeah, but what about the BPA
Yeah, but what about the BPA in plastic? The beverage companies don't want to bring that up! I switched to glass for that reason. Unfortunately, since it's cheaper many drinks the were in bottles are switching to plastic. It's all about the money for them - not our health!
The best way to make
The best way to make packaging sustainable is to reuse it.
Germany is master, when it comes to reusing bottles (both plastic and glass). 15 cent deposit makes a huge difference on the "recycling" rate (really it is a reuse rate). Melting a bottle and then reforming it uses so much more energy than washing a thicker plastic bottle (same goes for glass).
I don't understand why other countries do not adopt this.
While glass and aluminum cans
While glass and aluminum cans are endlessly recyclable back into themselves, PLASTIC is not.
The words "Recyclable" and "Recycled Content" mean NOTHING. They are marketing terms used to make people feel better (less guilty) about consuming the crap that is in the bottles. It is not green to buy a single serving of juice or soda or water, no matter how it is packaged, PERIOD.
The facts: 80% of Americans have access to recycling programs and yet only 27% of plastic bottles ever get recycled. We pay for a HUGE system of people, trucks, bins, and transport and we only use it 27% of the time. That is NOT GREEN.
If any of these beverage companies care one-wit for the environment, we would be going back to REUSABLE/REFILLABLE bottles.