Food Packaging Trends and Issues Approaching Sustainability: Insights from Industrial Experts in the UK

Abstract

The growing awareness of the environmental damage associated with food product packaging waste has led the public to a keen interest in the development of sustainable packaging in the UK. However, previous research shows that not all sustainable packaging would encourage consumers’ decision making towards more sustainable choices. With this study, insight information from the experts in food industry had been explored on the current trends and issues relating to the consumer demands towards significant food packaging. A qualitative approach of in-depth interviews had been conducted with the industrial experts in the UK. The interviews transcribed verbatim and NVIVO 11 used to analyse the results. The findings indicated there are three particular aspects or themes that showed both food producers and consumers are significantly focused on in the UK, recently. All in all, consumers and food producers are moving towards more sustainable options of food packaging, within a consideration of consumer’s personal convenience and preferences are still placed in the highest priority.