A new survey of consumers has revealed a strong preference for renewable and recyclable paper and cardboard packaging over plastic materials.
A nationally-representative survey of 500 UK adults – conducted by researcher Toluna for lobby group Two Sides - found paper and cardboard to be the most preferred packaging material for environmental-friendliness, recyclability and practicality.
Respondents were asked which packaging material (glass, metal, paper and cardboard, or plastic) they prefer based on a number of different reasons. Paper and cardboard received the highest scores for being better for the environment and easier to recycle and, in terms of practicality, easier to open and close, easier to store, lighter weight, more practical, and safer to use.
The survey results were released as the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) joined the call for a ban on single use plastic bags in Australia.
“Australians use around four billion plastic bags every year, many of these ending up in our waterways and ocean,” says Ross Hampton, CEO of AFPA.
“There is an alternative for plastic bags that is both convenient and good for the environment - renewable and recyclable paper bags that store carbon and are made from sustainably sourced Australian wood fibre. Using Australian renewable and recyclable paper products also underpins considerable economic activity and jobs in our sustainable paper businesses."
In 2009, South Australia became the first state to ban plastic bags at the supermarket checkout, followed by the ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania. Similar bans will be introduced in Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria on July 1. The NSW government has so far resisted calls for a ban, but supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have committed to phasing out single-use plastic bags in NSW stores by June 30.
The survey also revealed significant consumer concerns about packaging in general. 85% believe packaging is a significant source of litter, 84% believe over-packaging is a problem, and 71% believe packaging is bad for the environment. Coffee cups, plastic bottles, chocolate bar wrappers, potato chip packets and take-away packaging were all perceived to be the most significant causes litter.
The size of the ever-increasing Pacific plastic garbage patch, which is trapped by currents in the North Pacific, is now estimated to be between 700,000 square kilometres (about the size of Texas) and more than 15,000,000 square kilometres.