Half of US consumers would give up convenience packaging

Research from The Nielsen Company shows that more than half of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment, including: packaging designed for easy stacking/storing at home (58%); packaging that can be used for cooking, or doubling as a re-sealable container (55%); and packaging designed for easy transport (53%). U.S. consumers are slightly more likely to give up packaging for convenience purposes than the average global consumer.

At the other end of the scale, Nielsen finds that U.S. consumers are least willing to give up packaging designed to keep products clean and untouched by other shoppers (26%); packaging designed to keep products in good condition (31%); packaging that preserves products to make them last longer and stay fresher (31%); and packaging information, including food labeling, cooking and usage instructions (33%). One in 10 U.S. consumers is not prepared to give up any aspect of packaging for the benefit of the environment.

Nielsen’s research uncovers some differences regarding attitudes toward packaging between different regions of the world. Generally, Europeans and North Americans agree on types of packaging they are willing to forego to help the environment with nearly 60% willing to give up packaging designed for stacking and storing at home. By comparison, only 42% of Asians would be willing to give up these types of convenience packaging, likely because Asian homes tend to be smaller and have limited storage space so “stack and store” options are more practical and preferable.

Additional Findings:

More than half of U.S. consumers claim to recycle cans, bottles and/or newspapers all the time, with 20% doing so “most of the time.”

Roughly 40% of consumers will sometimes think to look for products with less packaging.

Nearly 80% of consumers make a point of combining shopping trips to save gas most, if not all of the time.

60% of consumers buy used or refurbished products to reduce waste and materials consumption at least some of the time.

Nearly 60% make an effort to buy fruits and vegetables at a local farmers’ market.

Approximately two-thirds turn down their thermostats to conserve fuel most or all of the time.