Research indicates a shift among food and beverage (F&B) companies towards reducing plastic use, largely driven by consumer demand for sustainability. Three of the top five commitments by businesses now focus on plastic reduction, with 77% expressing readiness to bear the cost of sustainable practices. This shift reflects the industry’s response to consumer preferences and the growing importance of environmental considerations.
“Around half of the surveyed businesses pinpointed consumer demand as the main catalyst behind implementing new sustainable solutions within the manufacturing and processing arena,” notes Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity at Tetra Pak.
A recent study by Tetra Pak examined F&B manufacturers’ attitudes towards sustainability, revealing a growing emphasis on reducing plastic in packaging. Half of the surveyed businesses cited consumer demand as the primary driver for adopting new sustainable solutions in manufacturing and processing. This aligns with Tetra Pak’s consumer study, which found that discussing environmental topics could increase purchase intent for almost three-quarters of respondents, with 42% willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging.
Despite facing economic challenges, 77% of businesses are willing to accept cost-related trade-offs to implement sustainable practices. This shift comes in the wake of COP28, where private sector stakeholders, including Tetra Pak, committed to sustainability targets and initiatives, reflecting a broader industry focus on reducing environmental impact.
Looking ahead, there is a predicted 10% surge in the next five years in the urgency to adopt practices that decarbonize the world’s food systems. Companies see innovation as critical, with 65% identifying the importance of new product developments from packaging and processing suppliers in combating climate change.
Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity at Tetra Pak, highlights the industry’s commitment to sustainability, noting the company’s focus on renewability and recyclability in its innovation pathway. The increasing sales of packages made with plant-based polymers demonstrate the industry’s dedication to sustainable change, with cartons increasingly seen as the most environmentally friendly beverage package compared to plastic.