New publication out: Consumer response to plastic waste

Whether it’s the influence of the media, or public demonstrations against climate change, the impact of plastic on the environment has captured the attention of consumers worldwide.

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is facing its own battle with plastic, and public outcry has led to a response from some of the most prominent brands around the world. Supermarket chains have done away with single-use plastic bags, while many manufacturers have taken steps to reduce or remove plastic packaging at point of sale or in their supply chain.

Our research found that nearly half (48%) of all consumers worldwide expect manufacturers to take the lead, saying they have the most responsibility to act on these issues. And making changes to account for this is clearly a matter of ‘when’, rather than ‘if’, for all businesses.

But, how much do shoppers really care? Are their criticisms and wishes reflected in their own purchase behaviour? Which regions, countries and demographics are most engaged with reducing their plastic consumption? Where does the opportunity lie for retailers and manufacturers?

Kantar, in collaboration with Europanel and GfK, has surveyed more than 65,000 people in 24 countries— exploring how they feel about the use of plastics by FMCG companies. What makes this study unique is our ability to compare their answers with our panellists’ real purchase behaviour, to truly understand how they change their shopping baskets and their relationship with the brands they are choosing.

That said, retailers and manufacturers can’t expect consumers to jump to their brand purely for their green credentials— and being ‘green’ or sustainable means different things in different markets. By understanding the ‘green gap’ between those who say they care, and those that actually do something about it, we can unlock the opportunities of environmental concern—and help brands play an important role in shaping our future planet.

Through the links on the right of this page you can download the report, watch the webinar, or get in touch with our experts to discover how this data can be linked to your normal databases and see how your brand buyers responded.