UPDATE THE REAL MEDIA COLLECTIVE
Paper is king: Two Side The study, as analysed by TRMC, finds that Australians want packaging solutions that are better for the environment, are recyclable, as well as compostable from homes
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he Two Sides Global Survey exploring packaging preferences across Australian consumers illustrates how far we have come and the growing opportunity for fibre-based packaging across the country. Surveying 1500 Australians across all age-groups in line with the Australian Census population mix recently in February, the survey aimed to understand consumer preferences across packaging with considerations of usage, environment and brand responsibility undertaken. The survey was conducted across the world with participating countries including the UK, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, The Nordics, the US, Brazil and Australia. Australian consumers responded similarly with the UK and European citizens mostly, with a key awareness of the environmental credentials of paper packaging products. The Real Media Collective (TRMC) has historically surveyed consumer preferences across reading and habits with paper. However, this year we have added packaging as a key growth sector of our membership. The findings demonstrate very clearly that Australians want packaging solutions that are better for the environment, are recyclable and compostable from our homes. Key findings of the recent survey are as follows:
Better for the environment
Respondents selected paper packaging as the top substrate that is ‘better for the environment’ and ‘easier to recycle’. They ranked packaging substrate over all other materials including glass, metals and plastics. 28 ProPack.pro June 2021
Kellie Northwood 1. Paper packaging was the top substrate that is ‘better for the environment’ and ‘easier to recycle’ 2. Paper/cardboard was the best fit for packaging 3. Paper/cardboard was the packaging material that is better for the environment and is easier to recycle 4. Paper/cardboard picked for its home compostable ability 5. Supermarkets are said to be doing enough to introduce sustainable packaging
With 58 per cent of Australians stating paper packaging is better for the environment and 51 per cent saying that it is easier to recycle, the nearest other substrate identified as ‘better for the environment’ and ‘easier to recycle’ was glass at 30 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. We know that paper is the highest recycled household waste in the country and people understand how to recycle paper products, especially packaging. From paper boxes to now more sustainable solutions across food containers and wrappings, paper is being used more and more in homes and people are responding very well to the substrate. This was further supported by the latest Australia’s State of the Forests Report, which was released in 2018, which reported that 1.7 million tons of recycled paper were used for domestic paper and paperboard production in Australia, contributing to 53 per cent of paper and paperboard produced. This number, given the increase in paper packaging moving through households is expected to be much
higher present day with a new report pending release.
Compostable and recyclable equally ranked
In the Two Sides packaging study, paper products were considered able to be composted in the home and this ranks as highly as the perception of paper’s recyclability. Whilst this may not be applicable to all paper substrates or those with embellishments, the perception is clear with 72 per cent of Australians stating that paper products are home compostable, as compared to the next nearest substrate being plastics at 11 per cent. Compostable papers and substrates are a newly sought-after environmental condition, which consumers are keen to explore. Whilst studies show consumers are less likely to compost than recycle, it appears that there is a strong interest and possible indicator of future trends and a possible consumer demand moving forward that packaging manufacturers need to be mindful of. www.propack.pro