With sustainability and ESG initiatives at the forefront of consumer consciousness, a recent survey sheds light on the real preferences and sacrifices people are willing to make for sustainably packaged products. Conducted by ALPLA, the survey aimed to gauge the importance consumers place on sustainability when they lack the choice, particularly focusing on the inconvenience they are willing to endure to ensure their purchases are sustainably packaged.
The survey, which polled 1,000 Americans aged 18 and older through the third-party survey platform Pollfish, revealed a nuanced understanding of sustainability among consumers. A noteworthy finding is that nearly 40% of respondents often or always opt for sustainably packaged products when given the option. However, this inclination towards sustainable choices significantly increases among younger demographics, with 54% of 18- to 34-year-olds prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
Nearly 50% of 18- to 34-year-olds are willing to travel over 10 miles to access stores that offer sustainable packaging, a willingness that diminishes with age. A striking 79% of the younger demographic are prepared to pay a premium for sustainably packaged goods. Additionally, 67% of this age group is ready to undertake at least moderate lifestyle or habit changes to accommodate sustainably packaged products.
The survey highlights a growing gap between younger and older consumers in their commitment to sustainability. While 50% of respondents aged 35 and older expressed a willingness to make moderate lifestyle changes for sustainability, this figure jumps to nearly 70% among younger respondents. Moreover, the influence of peer shopping habits on sustainable purchasing decisions is notably higher among the 18- to 34-year-olds, indicating a trend where younger generations are not only adopting sustainable practices but also influencing those around them.
Billy Rice, the Sustainability Manager at ALPLA North America, notes the encouraging trend of younger consumers going the extra mile for sustainability, even when it is not the most convenient option. The survey underscores a critical message: living a life with a lower environmental impact requires intentionality—a trait increasingly evident among younger populations. As we observe the widening gap in sustainability commitments between generations, the challenge lies in encouraging a unified move towards more sustainable choices, bridging the divide for a more sustainable future.
