The first of the surveys, conducted by the UK’s largest recycling firm Viridor, asked 2,500 adults across nine key city-regions to detail their views on the UK’s existing plastics recycling policies and infrastructure.
Respondents were also asked about their shopping habits, and how the so-called “Blue Planet 2 effect” has impacted the decisions they make when choosing products and services.
Overall, respondents to this survey gave their backing to many of the key measures detailed in the Resources and Waste Strategy – including a new tax for plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content and measures to ensure that plastics packaging producers pay 100% of the recovery and recycling costs associated with their products, up from 10% at present.
The second survey comes from Kantar’s Worldpanel division, which asked 25,000 adults across 24 nations for their opinions on the ways in which plastic is used by consumer goods giants.
Together, the results of these surveys offer deeper insight into the public’s plastics-related needs and desires, at a time when we are continually hearing that plastic is becoming top-of-mind for shoppers – but also that barriers such as distrust in corporates, a lack of recycling infrastructure and the expense of more sustainable options are remaining rife.
Here, edie rounds up the key facts and stats.
From the Viridor study…
From the Kantar study, which was conducted in partnership with GfK and Europanel…
Sarah George