The months of confinement due to the pandemic caused by covid-19 have greatly increased purchases of products through digital stores. This has led to a very significant increase in shipments and therefore the circulation of millions of packages that must be protected. In this sense, 85% of Europeans want to buy products that use the lowest “packaging“ with the aim of helping to improve the environment.
In the wake of the covid-19 crisis, it seems that consumers have become even more aware of the importance of sustainability. In this sense, 85% of Europeans want to buy products that use as little “packaging” as possible, with the aim of helping to improve the environment.
This is reflected in the latest research carried out by the company of “packaging” DS Smith in collaboration with the market research company Ipsos Mori, on how consumer behaviors and attitudes regarding “packaging” have changed during the covid-19 pandemic.
According to Stefano Rossi, CEO of DS Smith Packaging, during the presentation of the study, "This study shows what priorities have persisted as a result of the pandemic and how sustainability remains very important for European consumers. Therefore both retailers and brands should adopt the sustainability of packaging to ensure that they take care of the environment and benefit the consumer."
The study has studied 9,000 consumers from 12 European markets, and it shows that before the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic (59%) and once the confinement began (64%) a good number of consumers have been willing to change the place where they make their purchases if this entails a reduction of the “packaging”.
Forty-three per cent of respondents note that it is essential for them to use a minimum quantity of packaging, while 41 per cent value that the packages have recyclable materials. This indicates that the packaging using corrugated cardboard, which is 100% recyclable and which has been shown not to be a material that can carry the coronavirus, are those who get a better reception.
Unsustainable packaging, meanwhile, poses a significant business risk. Specifically, 48% of users have experienced unsustainable packaging, leading 22% of them to stop buying from certain online retailers because of this problem. Another significant finding from the study is that 57% of respondents say they wash their hands immediately after touching a package delivered to their home, 30% quickly discard the wrapping, and 16% disinfect the products inside.
