| Although packaging waste accounts for around | | | | |
| 15% of the total waste burden in developed | | | | Key Market Issues |
| countries, its disposal has become a significant and | | | | • Packaging waste is a serious global |
| pressing problem because it tends to be | | | | environmental issue. Around 2bn tonnes of |
| high-volume and highly visible. As consumers | | | | household waste are generated worldwide every |
| continue to demand convenience, freshness and | | | | year, of which a third is packaging waste. |
| quality in their food and drinks purchases, retailers | | | | • Plastics, the least recycled packaging material, |
| are prioritizing getting products onto store shelves | | | | is now the most common and the most rapidly |
| as rapidly and efficiently as possible. However, as | | | | increasing in food and drinks. |
| packaging waste grows, retailers are coming | | | | • Whilst demand for ‘less packaging' is |
| under pressure from consumers, governments | | | | increasing consumers are resistant to paying |
| and lobby groups to take action in order to | | | | significantly more for eco-friendlier products which |
| reduce the amount of packaging used on | | | | contributes to the packaging industry's reluctance |
| products. | | | | to invest in the technology. |
| This report evaluates innovation in packaging | | | | • Lightweighting has been heavily promoted in |
| reduction in food and drinks by region and product | | | | glass packaging, however the potential for further |
| category, pinpointing growth opportunities and | | | | lightweighting is limited, as is the current potential |
| highlighting technologies with the strongest future | | | | for vastly higher recycling rates |
| potential. It examines packaging waste issues | | | | Key findings from this report |
| from various stakeholders in the supply chain: | | | | • Recycling has been the main thrust in the |
| packaging suppliers, food and drinks | | | | campaign to reduce packaging waste and |
| manufacturers, retailers and consumers. | | | | recycling rates have risen rapidly in the developed |
| Through examples of company initiatives and NPD | | | | world, particularly where there has been legislation |
| trends, this report highlights what has already | | | | to discourage landfilling |
| been achieved in terms of packaging reduction | | | | • Soft drinks is the leading product sector for |
| and provides insight into the new technologies that | | | | packaging innovation. Huge multinationals |
| will impact the packaging industry in the future. It | | | | particularly The Coca-Cola Company have |
| also identifies the challenges and barriers of | | | | invested considerably in packaging reduction |
| implementing packaging reduction strategies and | | | | initiatives |
| highlights opportunity areas. | | | | • Plastic is now the most widely-used |
| Key features of this report | | | | packaging material worldwide, but also the least |
| • A broad assessment of the size of the | | | | recycled. According to WasteOnline, 11% of |
| packaging waste problem, by region and material | | | | household waste in the UK is plastic and 40% of |
| and an overview of the principal drivers of | | | | it is generated from plastic bottles of which 3% |
| packaging reduction, including sustainability | | | | are recycled. Bioplastics have strong potential, but |
| pressures, raw material prices, demographic shifts, | | | | issues of cost and disposability need to be |
| cultural trends and legislation. | | | | addressed. |
| • Insight into the latest trends in reduced | | | | • Recycling remains the principal means of |
| packaging technologies by region, product sector | | | | reducing packaging volumes. Corrugated |
| and packaging material. | | | | paperboard has reached nearly 100% recycled |
| • Evaluation of the major manufacturing | | | | content. 65% of glass bottles and 60% of |
| technologies for recyclability, reuseability and | | | | aluminium beverage cans are recycled. |
| biodegradability; and the ways in which these | | | | • Lightweighting has emerged as a major |
| technologies are facilitating packaging reduction. | | | | packaging reduction trend, particularly in glass |
| • Detailed analysis of lightweighting technologies | | | | packaging. The average weight of a ‘tin' can |
| and an examination of the relationship between | | | | has dropped by a third since the 1990s.More than |
| packaging design and the more efficient use of | | | | half of consumers claim they would be more likely |
| resources. | | | | to buy a product in lightweighted packaging. |
| Scope of this report | | | | |
| • Understand each regional market in terms of | | | | Key questions answered |
| the current packaging waste trends and the | | | | • What will be the future impact of legislative |
| legislative imperatives. | | | | and environmental pressure on the food and |
| • Anticipate future sustainable packaging | | | | drinks packaging industry? |
| trends, particularly in terms of the innovations | | | | • Is innovation government, retailer, food and |
| that can help your business take advantage of | | | | drinks industry or consumer-led? |
| demand in the near future. | | | | • Which companies, product categories and |
| • Learn how the emerging cutting edge | | | | brands are leading the way in packaging |
| technologies will deliver significant packaging | | | | reduction? |
| reduction and improve operation efficiencies. | | | | • Which packaging materials will dominate |
| • Gain insight into how changing packaging | | | | future innovation given the latest technological |
| design can reduce waste and the potential impact | | | | developments and category trends? |
| on production costs | | | | |