The Role of Packaging in Society

The Role of Packaging in Society Dick Searle Chief Executive The Packaging Federation

Packaging under the microscope • Very visible but little understood • Much un-informed comment • Significant ‘environmental’ pressure • Reactions from consumers and “Government” • The ‘waste problem’

‘Don’t confuse me with thefacts’ • Examine the evolution of society • And the way that shopping has developed • See how packaging has changed • Where are we now? • What is ‘excessive packaging’? • Where do we go from here?

What did most households not have in the 50’s: The way things were… • Car • Phone • Bath • Central heating • TV • Washing machine • Fridge • Freezer • Computers • Internet • AND…!!!!!!

What did most households not have in the 50’s: The way things were… • MICROWAVE OVENS !!!!

The way things were (2)… And society was different too: • Mostly two parent households • Divorce was rare • Few ‘working mothers’ • Pace of life was much slower • Meal times (eating together) was the norm • Disposable income was low

And now… • For most all the noes have become yeses • Pace of life dramatically higher and still accelerating • Working households are the norm • Eating ‘on the run’ • Divorce is high • Internet shopping • 29% single person households

So what about shopping habits… In the 50’s… • Shopping was a daily exercise • Grocers shops (Liptons, Maypole, H&C) • No supermarkets • Most products sold loose – queues/hygiene • Home deliveries of milk, bread…even ‘pop’ • Range was limited and fresh food seasonal • Convenience foods almost unheard of

Then…

…and now

So what about shopping habits (2)… And now… • Consumption has increased dramatically • Supermarkets are everywhere • Shopping is a weekly excursion • Range and choice are huge • Products available all year round • Convenience is ‘everything’

So what about packaging’s role in this? • Packaging is the ‘enabler’ for shopping as we know it today – supermarkets could not exist without it • Product wastage in the supply chain is now minimal • Product presentation and information are key • Brands are defined by their Packaging • Many markets owe their existence to developments in packaging

So let’s look at some of the ‘new boys’ • Lightweight one-trip glass bottles • Easy-open beverage cans • Plastic bottles and tubes • PET bottles • Flexible packaging sachets and pouches • Plastic films • Child resistant packaging • Liquid packaging cartons • Aseptic packaging

And there’s more!... • Ovenable packaging • Modified atmosphere packaging • Frozen food packaging • Microwaveable packaging • Chilled food packaging • Multiple packaging – board and plastics • Shelf ready packaging • And so on…

So what has the Packaging Industry done? • Developed a fantastic range of new products • Enabled a huge change in the way we shop • Facilitated the reduction in food waste in the supply chain to ca. 3% • Lightweighted packaging across the board • Achieved the decoupling of GDP growth from the increase in packaging used • Given consumers product protection, hygiene, convenience and pack information • Provided the platform for product branding and identification

So where are we now? Demands of the product Demands of: Consumer Retailer Marketer Demands of: Production Distribution Storage Secondary packaging Primary packaging PRODUCT Demands of legislation and ‘environment’

Some of the issues that we face • Allegations of ‘excess packaging’ • Ambivalent consumer attitudes • Lack of ‘recognition’ from retailers • The Courtauld Commitment • The packaging waste ‘problem’ • The carbon footprint debate

Let’s look at ‘excess’ packaging Some of the more commonly quoted examples: • Easter eggs • Cosmetics and perfumery packaging • Point of sale packaging, e.g. pens • Software • Memory chips • Fruit and vegetables in plastic

Easter eggs…who needs them?

Cosmetics andperfumery

Point of sale packaging

Software and memory chips

Fruit and vegetables in plastic

Excess packaging… in summary • Like beauty…is in the eye of the beholder • And of course there are examples • But often part of the product offering/image • Or part of the retail methodology • Comes down to consumer choice • But remember the Essential Requirement Regulations – only enforced (currently) in three EU countries…including the UK!

Ambivalent consumer attitudes • Packaging responds to the needs of modern lifestyles • Consumer concern about the environment is real but is it well informed? e.g. biodegradables • Do they really want a return to the shopping regimes of yesteryear • How much of consumer preference is theirs and how much is ‘assumed’ by retailers • The next couple of years will be very enlightening

The retailers position • So often fail to acknowledge/defend the importance of packaging to their activities • The Courtauld Commitment • How will they fulfil it? • And how will it be measured? • And what will be the consequences to them… and to their customers?

Packaging waste in perspective • 3% of landfill and18% of household waste • But very visible • Huge progress in last few years – ca.60% now recycled • Good recycling needs a better waste stream • Further progress requires ‘joined-up thinking’ • The waste hierarchy must use ‘real science’ • Energy from waste must be taken seriously • We can do more…but not alone!

And so… in summary • Packaging has made a huge contribution to life as we know it and we should be proud of that • We have proved our innovation abilities time after time • We are first and last a service industry and we are ready and able to respond to changes in society’s needs • BUT…is society prepared to make the changes and pay the price – in all senses of the word?

And finally…..some context • Packaging is 3% of landfill • Global carbon footprint of packaging including disposal is ca. 0.2% • There’s ten times more energy & materials in products than in the packaging around them • The energy content of one day’s packaging is equal to ONE MILE driven in the car !! • AVOIDABLE food waste in the bin has some EIGHT times the impact of packaging waste

And finally…..some context • SO - ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME THAT THESE MUCH BIGGER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RECEIVED A LOT MORE ATTENTION THAN PACKAGING DOES ??

The Role of Packaging in Society