Mintel has released the article “Unwrapped: Eco-Friendly Innovation is the Way Forward in Food and Drink Packaging” and has provided great insight to us as recruitment specialists within the food & fresh produce industry. Consumer behaviours, industry trends and legislative changes all make a huge impact on us and the clients we work with. From plant-based forks to potato starch bottles, see below what we have learnt from Mintel’s article.
What are consumers worried about?
Pressure has never been higher on the food and drink industry in terms of sustainable packaging. In the UK, 7 in 10 consumers worry that food packaging waste will end up in the environment. Whilst reducing plastic packaging seems like the most obvious fix, it does provide protective qualities to the produce and in turn extends shelf life and protects the products. Consumers want to support eco-friendly practices and many have stated that a rating scale showing environmental impact would influence their purchasing decisions.
What is being done?
With the UK Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, we should see a reduction in packaging waste and a reboot in recycling. We have seen leading supermarkets such as ASDA successfully implement refill stations, whilst other high street supermarkets are incorporating cardboard packaging.
What does the future look like?
Inevitably as the cost of living increases, sustainability then begins to take a backseat for emerging trends in food packaging. A recent study in the US has shown that more than 6 in 10 shoppers prioritise price over environmental worries. However, younger buyers between 18-and 34 are more likely to prioritise sustainability.
What is trending?
A Swedish design studio, TomorrowMachine has collaborated with Eckes-Granini to create juice bottles made from potato starch that can be dissolved in warm water!
Nestlé’s Maggi has launched a limited-edition plant-based fork in India that is completely edible! Convenient and sustainable!
