More than half of respondents to a Packaging News survey would consider using compostable or biodegradable materials made from genetically modified sources, although 75% said industry should not adopt products that divert from food supplies.
The majority (79%) recognised a need for the packaging industry to reduce its dependence on oil-based products, but 80% said that compostable packaging materials had been introduced with little thought for their impact on existing infrastructure or potential to confuse consumers.
Less than half thought the benefits of compostable packaging outweighed any potential disadvantages.
Of the 130-plus respondents, 89% said consumers did not understand sustainable packaging materials, although this in itself should not stop their introduction, but 60% urged retailers and brands to wait until the industrial composting infrastructure had improved before using compostable packaging.
This echoed the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (Larac), which last month called for retailers to clarify to consumers how to deal with sustainable materials.
Larac chairman Lee Marshall said: "The idea of biodegradable packaging is good, but the infrastructure is not yet there to fully realise its potential."
Bath and North East Somerset Council has banned householders from putting biodegradeable plastic packs in garden waste collections because it cannot deal with it.
Asda packaging buyer Shane Monkman said the multiple was not using biodegradable or compostable materials due to performance limitations, the presence of GM crops and the possibility of contaminating waste streams.
The survey respondents had examined the full range of materials, including polylactic acid (71%), materials based on cornstarch and fatty acids, for a variety of applications such as fresh produce (45%), pharmaceuticals and detergents.
Main findings:
73% of respondents highlighted cost as a main barrier to entry, followed by availability of material (49%) and consumer confusion (47%)
72% said local authorities should take responsibility for educating consumers, 65% said it lay with retailers, and 59% with the packaging industry
53% had looked at sustainable materials for packaging films; 39% bags; 33% thermoformed or injection-moulded packaging
Source: packagingnews
The majority (79%) recognised a need for the packaging industry to reduce its dependence on oil-based products, but 80% said that compostable packaging materials had been introduced with little thought for their impact on existing infrastructure or potential to confuse consumers.
Less than half thought the benefits of compostable packaging outweighed any potential disadvantages.
Of the 130-plus respondents, 89% said consumers did not understand sustainable packaging materials, although this in itself should not stop their introduction, but 60% urged retailers and brands to wait until the industrial composting infrastructure had improved before using compostable packaging.
This echoed the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (Larac), which last month called for retailers to clarify to consumers how to deal with sustainable materials.
Larac chairman Lee Marshall said: "The idea of biodegradable packaging is good, but the infrastructure is not yet there to fully realise its potential."
Bath and North East Somerset Council has banned householders from putting biodegradeable plastic packs in garden waste collections because it cannot deal with it.
Asda packaging buyer Shane Monkman said the multiple was not using biodegradable or compostable materials due to performance limitations, the presence of GM crops and the possibility of contaminating waste streams.
The survey respondents had examined the full range of materials, including polylactic acid (71%), materials based on cornstarch and fatty acids, for a variety of applications such as fresh produce (45%), pharmaceuticals and detergents.
Main findings:
73% of respondents highlighted cost as a main barrier to entry, followed by availability of material (49%) and consumer confusion (47%)
72% said local authorities should take responsibility for educating consumers, 65% said it lay with retailers, and 59% with the packaging industry
53% had looked at sustainable materials for packaging films; 39% bags; 33% thermoformed or injection-moulded packaging
Source: packagingnews
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