At a time when global food and energy supply chains face mounting pressure, new research from Tetra Pak reveals businesses and consumers are determined not to lose sight of net zero ambitions, particularly those that can be achieved through the decarbonisation of food systems.
Impediments to change
New findings released today from a recent study of food and beverage managers, directors and business owners, found that despite more than a third (36%) considering the pursuit of sustainable packaging as important, 41% currently face supply chain challenges or disruption. Shortages of raw materials and price increases were cited as key factors currently hindering efforts to adopt sustainable packaging options. Recognising the need to embrace more sustainable methods of food production and consumption, whilst reducing food waste and loss throughout the system, a quarter (24%) still believe sustainability should be their organisation’s top priority in 2023.
These findings come as efforts to foster better development of sustainable and innovative solutions gain momentum across Europe, with ambitions to reduce the generation of packaging waste by making all packaging, recyclable and reusable by 2030.
Consumer support gains pace
An effective new approach to feeding growing populations will be heavily reliant on consumer engagement and behaviour in 2023 and beyond, and in a separate study commissioned by Tetra Pak, consumers in the UK and Ireland have high levels of support for companies demonstrating a commitment to lowering their carbon footprints and offering sustainable packaging options.
- 64% stated they value efforts made to reduce waste when disposing of a carton
- 63% place importance on packaging choices made for designing cartons that help mitigate climate change
- 60% have concerns about how food/drink packaging choices impact waste management
Interestingly, over two thirds (70%) also now believe packaging companies have a responsibility to the public to create and develop sustainable packaging, with over a third believing strongly so. Such high levels of support are a clear indication that decisive action must be taken swiftly to address the ways food and drink are currently produced, consumed, packaged and disposed of.
Driving a circular economy
The UK Government is currently lending support where possible, taking strides to transform the farm to fork pathway with leading sustainability initiatives alongside efforts being pursued by producers within the food and drink industry. However, to be as effective as possible, these require close collaboration between policymakers, industry, and consumers.
Almost a third (30%) of food and beverage managers, directors and business owners surveyed by Tetra Pak believe the topics of sustainability and climate change can only be meaningfully addressed with cross-sector collaboration and support from policy makers. This sentiment is echoed by consumers, with over half (56%) stating the UK Government should do more in the next 12 months to raise awareness of sustainability issues and recycling processes amongst the general public.
Alex Henriksen, managing director North Europe, Tetra Pak, comments: “The food and beverage industry faces an unprecedented set of evolving challenges in the year ahead. It is therefore encouraging to see that despite such pressures, businesses and consumers alike remain determined to focus on the decarbonisation of food systems.
“Our research demonstrates that consumers are placing increased importance on sustainable packaging and want to understand how the food and beverage sector is helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. It is essential that decisive action is taken to ensure ambitions are met, and that the necessary support is put in place to achieve a circular economy. No single solution will lead to the decarbonisation of our food systems today, but through collaboration across the UK Government and industry, and with the consumer at the heart of decision making, finding a range of practical and effective solutions will be far simpler.
“At Tetra Pak, through continued innovation, we have created a reality of not only being able to replace or reduce our consumption of foods which have higher carbon impacts, but being able to package these in a way that embraces renewable, low carbon materials. We must pursue these opportunities with accelerated determination to make the vital gains that our planet needs. We remain committed to helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals, and look forward to continuing to work together with governments and industry to drive meaningful change and pursue a more sustainable future.”
To explore these research findings in greater depth, Tetra Pak convened a group of experts from across the food and drink value chain to discuss recommendations, solutions and strategies to support greater decarbonisation of current food systems.
