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South African consumers believe that paper and cardboard are best for recycling and for the environment. Photo credits: Sappi, Mpact, Detpak
SA CONSUMERS PREFER PAPER PACKAGING

PAMSA, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa, enlisted South Africa
as one of 16 countries that participated in this year’s Global Trend Tracker Survey.
The research study seeks to understand consumer perceptions about print and
paper products, looking specifically at environmental awareness, reading habits

and packaging preferences.

he shift to online shopping has plastic from their packaging. Just more individuals should take responsibility
accelerated in recent years, but than half of consumers would consider through their personal choices;
Tmany consumers are increasingly avoiding retailers who are not actively • 18% believe packaging manufacturers,
concerned about how their goods are trying to reduce their use of non-recyclable brands and producers should be the
packaged and delivered, and how easy it is packaging. leaders;
to recycle materials used. In South Africa, just less than 61% of paper • only 4% felt that retailers and
The global survey questioned more than and paper packaging (1.25 million tonnes) supermarkets carried the most
10 000 consumers about their preferences was recycled in 2022. Metal packaging has responsibility;
and opinions regarding various packaging the highest recycling rate of 76%, while • more than 60% of respondents agreed
types, their attributes and their impacts. glass is 44%, with the recovery of various that non-recyclable packaging should be
Some 58% prefer products ordered online plastics trailing at 43%. A large proportion discouraged through taxation.
to be delivered in paper packaging, while of consumers prefer products ordered
56% are actively taking steps to increase online to be delivered in appropriately Examples
their use of paper packaging. Paper’s sized packaging to reduce waste, and 58% Along with the switch to paperboard
environmental credentials stack up in terms prefer paper packaging for online orders. punnets for fruit and vegetables,
of recyclability and renewability, and paper Consumers want government to do more engineered paper is increasingly being
remains a versatile material that adds to the about single use, non-recyclable packaging used as primary packaging for dry goods,
tactile experience of consumers. and when asked to rank who they believe confectionary and snacks.
Packaging plays an important part in has the most responsibility for reducing the The Checkers’ Sixty60 paper grocery bag
the purchasing decision, from displaying use of non-recyclable, single use packaging, return programme is an excellent example
vital product information to protecting the following information emerged: of designing packaging for re-use or
its contents. Consumers were asked to • 36% believe that governments and local recycling. It enables customers to send their
rate various packaging materials - paper, authorities carry most responsibility in used bags back with the driver.
cardboard, plastic, glass and metal – against this area;
15 environmental, visual and physical • a quarter of the respondents felt that https://thepaperstory.co.za n
attributes.
In 10 of the 15 attributes presented,
paper and cardboard scored the highest
among South African consumers, who
said these materials were better for
the environment, less expensive, home
compostable, lighter in weight, safer to
use, easier to recycle, open, close and store,
more practical and gave better information
about the product. A significant 77% of
South African consumers said they would
actively support retailers who offer a
packaging return system, while 60% would Pulp trays are made from recycled paper fibre. Checkers Sixty60 deliveries enable customers to send
buy more from retailers who remove Photo: Huhtahmaki their used bags back with the driver

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 133 2024 7