Table of Contents
Executive Summary
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- The market
- Packaging needs to cater to the ageing population
- Out-of-home eating occasions on the rise
- Disposal of food packaging will become a major challenge for the UK
- Plastics debate could see increased demand for other packaging materials
- The ‘shrinkflation’ trend exacerbated by Brexit and sugar concerns
- Companies and brands
- Retailers’ strategies to reduce plastic waste
- New packaging launches jump to a four-year high
- Innovation in environmentally friendly packaging
- Environmentally friendly pouches enter the UK market
- Packaging focuses on food waste
- Smart labels appear on Sainsbury’s packets of ham
- The consumer
- Glass packaging is seen as the hardest packaging type to open
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- Figure 1: Qualities associated with different types of food packaging, December 2017
- Plastic packaging formats are associated with being difficult to recycle
- Resealable packaging garners the most interest
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- Figure 2: Interests in food packaging, December 2017
- Scope to boost recycling amongst younger age groups
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- Figure 3: Behaviours relating to food packaging, December 2017
- Strong interest in buying loose products suggests a future for plastic-free aisles
- Britons consider themselves to be a nation of recyclers
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- Figure 4: Food packaging recycling habits, December 2017
- Clearer recycling instructions on packaging are needed
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- Figure 5: Factors to encourage recycling of food packaging, December 2017
- The majority expect companies to make food packaging sustainable
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- Figure 6: Attitudes towards food packaging, December 2017
- Branded packaging seen to be more attractive than own-label by half
- What we think
Issues and Insights
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- Cardboard and paper packaging likely to benefit off the back of plastic concerns
- The facts
- The implications
- Helping younger age groups to recycle more can build engagement
- The facts
- The implications
- Highlighting functional features can win favour with the UK’s ageing population
- The facts
- The implications
The Market – What You Need to Know
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- Packaging needs to cater to the ageing population
- Out-of-home eating occasions on the rise
- Disposal of food packaging will become a major challenge for the UK
- Plastics debate could see increased demand for other packaging materials
- The ‘shrinkflation’ trend exacerbated by Brexit and sugar concerns
Market Drivers
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- Packaging needs to cater to the ageing population
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- Figure 7: Trends in the age structure of the UK population, 2012-17 and 2017-22
- Smaller households need smaller packs
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- Figure 8: UK households, by size, 2017-22
- Out-of-home eating occasions on the rise
- Disposal of food packaging will become a major challenge for the UK
- Household recycling rates have fallen over the last five years
- Government proposes 25-year plan to reduce plastic packaging waste
- Removing plastic packaging has the potential to increase food waste
- China restricts imports of waste paper and plastics from the UK
- Uncertain future for packaging recycling following Brexit
- Black plastic trays identified as the worst culprits for not being recycled
- Roadmap agreed for black plastic tray recycling
- Plastics debate could see increased demand for other packaging materials
- Guideline changes to fresh food labelling aim to reduce food waste
- The ‘shrinkflation’ trend exacerbated by Brexit and sugar concerns
Companies and Brands – What You Need to Know
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- New packaging launches jump to a four-year high
- Innovation in environmentally friendly packaging
- Environmentally friendly pouches enter the UK market
- Packaging focuses on food waste
- Smart labels appear on Sainsbury’s packets of ham
Retailers’ Strategies to Reduce Plastic Waste
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- Iceland commits to plastic-free aisles
- Waitrose pledges to scrap black plastic trays
- Tesco wants all packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2025
- Sainsbury’s aims to halve packaging by 2020
- Asda commits to recyclable packaging under Walmart’s Sustainability targets
- Morrison’s responsibility targets align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Aldi to source all of its pulp-based packaging from certified forests by 2020
- The Co-op aims to make the majority of its packaging easy to recycle
- Marks and Spencer aims to generate zero waste across the business
Launch Activity and Innovation
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- New packaging launches jump to a four-year high
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- Figure 9: New launches in the UK food market, by launch type, 2014-17
- Several categories have seen pack sizes shrink
- Innovation in environmentally friendly packaging
- Iceland launches Indian street-food style range in eco-friendly packaging
- Tesco maximises recyclability of fresh food packaging
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- Figure 10: New product launches in the UK food market carrying an environmentally friendly package claim, 2014-17
- Co-op’s single-polymer protein pack aims to help consumers up recycling habits
- Itsu relaunches pot noodles in environmentally friendly packs
- Snact roles out home compostable packaging across its range
- Environmentally friendly pouches enter the UK market
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- Figure 11: New product launches in the UK food market, by packaging type, 2014-17
- Packaging focuses on food waste
- Waitrose introduces packaging made from food waste
- Maldon Sea Salt summer packaging encourages top-to-tail cooking
- Retailers remove sticker labelling on some fruit and vegetables
- Unipak develops new packaging to absorb fruit juices and extend shelf life
- Retailers face consumer backlash over packaged fresh produce
- UK’s first re-closable frozen food pack launched
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- Figure 12: New product launches in the UK food market, by claims related to convenience, 2014-17
- Fairfields unveils the first ever microwaveable bag of crisps
- Linpac develops ‘quick roast’ joint pack concept for the Co-op
- Smart labels appear on Sainsbury’s packets of ham
- Onken offers personalised ‘YouGurt’ pot service
The Consumer – What You Need to Know
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- Glass packaging is seen as the hardest packaging type to open
- Plastic packaging formats are associated with being difficult to recycle
- Resealable packaging garners the most interest
- Scope to boost recycling amongst younger age groups
- Strong interest in buying loose products suggests a future for plastic-free aisles
- Britons consider themselves to be a nation of recyclers
- Clearer recycling instructions on packaging are needed
- The majority expect companies to make food packaging sustainable
- Branded packaging seen to be more attractive than own-label by half
Qualities Associated with Different Types of Food Packaging
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- Methodology
- Glass packaging is seen as the hardest packaging type to open
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- Figure 13: Correspondence Analysis, December 2017
- A fifth see flexible plastic pouches as hard to open
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- Figure 14: Qualities associated with different types of food packaging, December 2017
- Plastic packaging formats are associated with being difficult to recycle
- Various component materials inhibit ease of recycling plastic pots
- ‘Downcycling’ is an option for plastic pouches
- Most packaging types are not seen to be environmentally friendly
Interests in Food Packaging
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- Resealable packaging garners the most interest
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- Figure 15: Interests in food packaging, December 2017
- Under-34s are most interested in portion control
- Portion control packaging can help to reduce food waste
- Edible packaging is an underexplored area
- Interactive packaging features appeals to the young and the affluent
Behaviours Relating to Food Packaging
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- Scope to boost recycling amongst younger age groups
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- Figure 16: Behaviours relating to food packaging, December 2017
- On-pack information about food is preferable to online
- Strong interest in buying loose products suggests a future for plastic-free aisles
- Reducing food waste is more of a priority than reducing packaging waste
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- Figure 17: Food Packaging Trends – CHAID – Tree output, December 2017
- Methodology
Food Packaging Recycling Habits
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- Britons consider themselves to be a nation of recyclers
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- Figure 18: Food packaging recycling habits, December 2017
- Over-65s are the most frequent recyclers
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- Figure 19: Food packaging recycling habits, by age group, December 2017
Factors to Encourage Recycling of Food Packaging
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- Clearer recycling instructions on packaging are needed
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- Figure 20: Factors to encourage recycling of food packaging, December 2017
- More clarity is needed for local recycling
- Opportunity for supermarkets to boost recycling rates
Attitudes towards Food Packaging
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- Easy-open packaging is important for older generations
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- Figure 21: Attitudes towards food packaging, December 2017
- The majority expect companies to make food packaging sustainable
- Many consumers forget how long food has been open for
- More than half think that popular characters would make healthy food appealing to kids
- Branded packaging seen to be more attractive than own-label by half
Appendix – Data Sources, Abbreviations and Supporting Information
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- Abbreviations
- Consumer research methodology
Appendix – Market Drivers
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- Figure 22: New product launches in the UK food market, by packaging material, 2014-17
- Figure 23: Recycling rates of municipal waste, by EU Member States, 2015
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Appendix – Launch Activity and Innovation
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- Figure 24: New product launches in the UK food market, by package type, 2014-17
- Figure 25: Share of new product launches in the UK food market featuring an easy-to-open claim, 2014-17
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Appendix – The Consumer
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- Figure 26: Share of new product launches in the UK food market, carrying a resealable claim, 2014-17
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- Figure 27: Food packaging waste recycling habits, by region, December 2017
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- Figure 28: Food Packaging Trends – CHAID – Table output, December 2017
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