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The Role of Packaging in Today's Society: Evolution and Impact on Shopping Habits

Explore the evolution of packaging in society, its impact on shopping habits, and the role it plays in modern life. Discover how packaging has changed, the rise of supermarkets, and the importance of packaging in product presentation and information.

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The Role of Packaging in Today's Society: Evolution and Impact on Shopping Habits

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

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

  3. ‘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?

  4. 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…!!!!!!

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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Then…

  10. Then…

  11. …and now

  12. 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’

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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…

  16. 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

  17. 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’

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Easter eggs…who needs them?

  21. Cosmetics andperfumery

  22. Point of sale packaging

  23. Software and memory chips

  24. Fruit and vegetables in plastic

  25. 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!

  26. 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

  27. 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?

  28. 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!

  29. 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?

  30. 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

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

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