How COVID-19 Can Drive Consumers to Accelerate Sustainable Practices

While COVID-19 remains one of the top concerns of those surveyed by Ipsos in the U.S., 71% also agree that climate change is just as serious a crisis as COVID-19. As a result, consumers and corporations are simultaneously navigating two very important crises—which currently conflict with each other in their solutions and require behavior changes. We specifically see this tension in the area of food safety and packaging.

As the pandemic unfolded in the U.S. in March, many consumers were willing (or even forced) to make a trade off; more packaging and waste for the benefit of increased safety and hygiene. By early August, 46% of shoppers reported they miss being able to use reusable grocery bags and coffee cups.

Some countries and states have paused their bans on plastic bags or single-use plastics to meet demand for safety and hygiene. As a result, there’s concern that recent progress in reducing virgin plastics and recycling would be eliminated. However, in the long run, sustainability efforts and worries over climate change will likely remain a primary concern and not be derailed by COVID-19.

Download our detailed paper for recent data and insights for packaging engineers, food manufacturers and policymakers.