IGD report backs industry's green packaging aims

In a new report from IGD’s Social Impact Sustainability team, How To Help Consumers Adopt Reusable Packaging​​​, IGD gives suppliers and retailers insight into consumer attitudes towards refill and return packaging solutions.

Containing insight into current usage and factors that will potentially drive growth, the report is a tool for industry to help formulate sustainable packaging strategies that influence longer-term behaviour change.

Reusable grocery packaging ​

Of the 2,000 UK consumers surveyed for the report, 41% have already adopted reusable grocery packaging in a bid to reduce their environmental impact. A further 42% are ‘thinking about’ using reusable packaging, highlighting the opportunity for the industry to take ownership and drive usage of this type of packaging. 

“Delivering sustainable packaging systems is a critical industry issue," ​said Susan Barratt, chief executive officer at IGD. "Collectively, we are working on solutions to meet our shared ambition to halve the environmental impact of all packaging and accelerate our industry’s progress towards Net Zero. Reducing the need for single-use packaging through reusables is a vital part of the solution. ​

“This report is the first phase of our work, which will continue in 2022 with the launch of a roadmap to deliver our ambition. Collective action is needed now, across our industry, to help consumers adopt refill and return packaging. We want industry to join us in driving tangible, positive change on this critical issue.”​

Findings in the report are further reinforced by the latest IGD ShopperVista research from the IGD Commercial division, which tracks shopper attitudes towards climate change and corresponding shopper habits. This new insight, which will be tracked throughout 2022, segments shoppers into six categories, to give suppliers and retailers insight to tailor both their solutions and communication, to drive change.

Single-use plastic​

The ShopperVista research found 41% of shoppers have reduced or stopped using single-use plastic and 63% consider reusable or recycled packaging to be ‘very important’ to them when choosing grocery products. Those findings were based on a survey of 3,707 British food and grocery shoppers  from 8 to 11 November 2021.

The results further indicate that shoppers believe brands have a responsibility to provide reusable and refillable packaging options – 78% of shoppers think more big brands should offer the ability to refill their packaging. 

How To Help Consumers Adopt Reusable Packaging​ is a free tool for the food and consumer goods industry, It is the first phase of IGD work, which will continue in 2022 with the launch of a roadmap to deliver the ambition.