Liz Gyekye / PackagingNews
Packaging’s role in preventing food waste
‘not recognised’
Packaging’s role in preventing food waste is not recognised by the public, according to new research commissioned by Incpen.
The new study, conducted on Incpen’s behalf by Ipsos MORI, found that only 26% of people agreed that food waste is a bigger environmental problem than packaging waste, whereas twice as many (52%) disagreed.
According to Incpen, more resources go into producing food than into the packaging which protects it and without the protection of packaging there would be much more food wasted.
The new study follows the recent announcement by government that it plans to axe sell-by dates in a bid to reduce food waste.
Incpen said that the government needs “to explain to consumers that wasting food is a very serious environmental problem and far bigger than throwing away the few grams of packaging that made sure the food arrived safely”.
“The government’s own Waste Policy Review 2011 acknowledges that packaging fulfils an important role in avoiding spoilage in the supply system and in the home,” said Incpen director Jane Bickerstaffe. “It also says that the carbon footprint of packaging is dwarfed by that of the products it contains. Both industry and government need to help consumers understand that.”
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