Amcor has today revealed new research into how consumer attitudes and expectations have changed towards hard cheese packaging across Europe. The research surveyed 3,176 hard cheese shoppers across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden to understand how packaging influences purchasing decisions and what their preferences are for hard cheese packaging.
Key findings include:
- Transparency is at the forefront of consumer decision-making
- Resealable packaging plays a role in customer loyalty
- Consumers are on board for a more sustainable packaging journey
Amcor’s research found that 80% of European consumers say they recycle their hard cheese packaging in compliance with local instructions, with Italy and Germany being particularly high. The research also uncovered that 22% of respondents chose ‘recyclable packaging’ as the most meaningful sustainability claim, whilst 16% chose ‘less packaging’ as appealing.
The study also found some common reasons given among respondents who said they do not recycle. For example, 37% of respondents stated that they don’t know how to recycle, while 28% said there is no local recycling stream in their area. Moreover, a quarter (25%) of respondents think it is too much trouble to separate and clean materials for recycling.
When it comes to paper packaging for hard cheese products, consumers associate paper more with characteristics such as ‘artisanal’ and ‘quality’ than with eco-friendly appeal. Although paper is not typically expected for hard cheese products, when shown hard cheese in paper packs, some respondents found it to be a more attractive and premium option.
The European hard cheese market has been growing steadily in recent years, propelled by increasing consumption for both at-home cooking and snacking. Meanwhile, demand is increasing for cheese packaging to be recycle-ready, driven by consumers, and by the European Commission’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposal, as well as by retailers’ and cheese producers’ sustainability agendas. In this context, Amcor’s research provides valuable insight into packaging preferences for hard cheese and how brands can design better packaging, to improve consumer experience and sustainability. For more visit amcor.com or for more details on the report click here
