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Consumer Perceptions of Food Packaging: Contributing to or Counteracting Environmentally Sustainable Development?

Lindh, Helena LU ; Olsson, Annika LU orcid and Williams, Helen (2016) In Packaging Technology & Science 29(1). p.3-23
Abstract
Packaging has a fundamental role in ensuring safe delivery of goods throughout supply chains to the end consumer in good condition. It also has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper explores and provides insights on Swedish consumer perceptions and knowledge of environmental aspects of food packaging and elaborates on how these can contribute to or counteract environmentally sustainable development. A study based on a consumer survey carried out in Sweden is presented. A review of recent packaging research emphasizes the protective function of packaging as its most important contribution to the environmental dimension of sustainable development. Contrary to this, consumers almost exclusively refer to the... (More)
Packaging has a fundamental role in ensuring safe delivery of goods throughout supply chains to the end consumer in good condition. It also has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper explores and provides insights on Swedish consumer perceptions and knowledge of environmental aspects of food packaging and elaborates on how these can contribute to or counteract environmentally sustainable development. A study based on a consumer survey carried out in Sweden is presented. A review of recent packaging research emphasizes the protective function of packaging as its most important contribution to the environmental dimension of sustainable development. Contrary to this, consumers almost exclusively refer to the packaging material when it comes to their perceptions of the environmental impact of packaging. Paper-based packaging is strongly understood by the surveyed consumers to be environmentally advantageous, whereas plastic and metal are not. This study further indicates that a majority of the Swedish consumers surveyed are aware of their shortcomings in judging the environmental status of food packaging, indicating a need for guidance; otherwise, consumer choices can unintendedly counteract environmentally sustainable intentions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
sustainable packaging development, survey, organic food packaging, packaging, consumer preferences
in
Packaging Technology & Science
volume
29
issue
1
pages
3 - 23
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • wos:000366525000001
  • scopus:84947461360
ISSN
0894-3214
DOI
10.1002/pts.2184
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5baf9c9c-7b3f-4e56-9821-8d34d67157cd (old id 8230186)
alternative location
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pts.2184/abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:47:35
date last changed
2022-04-12 17:34:21
@article{5baf9c9c-7b3f-4e56-9821-8d34d67157cd,
  abstract     = {{Packaging has a fundamental role in ensuring safe delivery of goods throughout supply chains to the end consumer in good condition. It also has great potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper explores and provides insights on Swedish consumer perceptions and knowledge of environmental aspects of food packaging and elaborates on how these can contribute to or counteract environmentally sustainable development. A study based on a consumer survey carried out in Sweden is presented. A review of recent packaging research emphasizes the protective function of packaging as its most important contribution to the environmental dimension of sustainable development. Contrary to this, consumers almost exclusively refer to the packaging material when it comes to their perceptions of the environmental impact of packaging. Paper-based packaging is strongly understood by the surveyed consumers to be environmentally advantageous, whereas plastic and metal are not. This study further indicates that a majority of the Swedish consumers surveyed are aware of their shortcomings in judging the environmental status of food packaging, indicating a need for guidance; otherwise, consumer choices can unintendedly counteract environmentally sustainable intentions.}},
  author       = {{Lindh, Helena and Olsson, Annika and Williams, Helen}},
  issn         = {{0894-3214}},
  keywords     = {{sustainable packaging development; survey; organic food packaging; packaging; consumer preferences}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{3--23}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Packaging Technology & Science}},
  title        = {{Consumer Perceptions of Food Packaging: Contributing to or Counteracting Environmentally Sustainable Development?}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/2139191/8230187.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/pts.2184}},
  volume       = {{29}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}