Widespread support for plastic packaging tax

Ingredient Communications’ survey of 1,000 consumers across the UK and the US found that 52% of 500 British respondents said they were in favour of a tax.

It also found that 41% of UK consumers would be more likely to buy produce from supermarkets that sold fruit and vegetables without plastic packaging, while 3% said this would make them less likely to shop there.

Richard Clarke, founder and managing director of Ingredient Communications, said the research made it clear that there was a high demand for food manufacturers to use more plastic-free packaging and for supermarkets to introduce plastic-free features into their stores.

Benefits overlooked ​

“However, the benefits of plastic packaging for food and beverage products are often overlooked. It helps protect goods from damage, extends shelf life and creates a brand identity, which undoubtedly influences consumers’ purchasing decisions,”​ he added.

“A key challenge for both manufacturers and retailers of food products is to find alternatives to plastic packaging that maintain these benefits for the supply chain and consumers.”​

Surveygoo, the research company that carried out the survey for Ingredient Communications, believed the support for plastics tax grew after the airing of the BBC’s nature documentary Blue Planet 2, ​which exposed the impact of plastic waste on marine life.

‘Heart-breaking impact of plastic waste’​

Managing director Neil Cary said: “Our research definitely reflects the ‘Blue Planet effect’ in the UK. Viewers were left in no doubt about the harmful and often heart-breaking impact of plastic waste, and many were inspired to make a change.”​

The UK Treasury recently revealed it had received more than 162,000 responses from the public to a consultation on how taxes could help tackle plastic waste and promote recycling. Most consumers said they would back a tax on single-use plastic items, including cups, plastic cutlery, lids and straws.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, ice cream manufacturer Kelly’s of Cornwall pledged to replace all of the black plastic packaging​​ used in its Clotted Cream variety with silver plastic, which is easier to recycle.