A recent survey commissioned by Huhtamaki has revealed that more than 80% of Finnish consumers are satisfied with their recycling habits.
The findings showed that paper-based packaging recycling is prevalent across all age groups, with more than 80% actively recycling and 90% of respondents recycling cardboard boxes.
Contrary to common assumptions, individuals over 65 displayed a more proactive approach to recycling than the surveyed younger demographic.
Older participants also exhibited a greater willingness to spend more on sustainable packaging options, potentially reflecting their higher disposable income.
When considering packaging materials for various products, 67% of those surveyed preferred fibre-based, paper, or cardboard materials, with women and those over 50 particularly advocating for fibre-based solutions.
Additionally, 50% of respondents supported increasing the use of recyclable plastics.
The study highlighted that 40% of participants are open to paying extra for sustainable packaging, with a further 8% ready to pay a considerable premium for products packaged in an environmentally friendly manner.
Huhtamaki sustainability and communications executive vice-president Salla Ahonen said: “In the survey, respondents shared that they are likely to recycle the packaging used for both takeouts and home deliveries.
“However, more transparency, information and clear instructions are still required with respect to recycling messaging when eating out. For example, consumers want to know how recycling works in restaurants and are interested to understand more about the environmental impact of different types of foodservice packaging.
“This survey shows that everyone in our sector must keep working together to create functional recycling systems that are as comprehensive as possible and provide easy-to-understand guidelines and messaging for consumers.”
The independent digital survey, carried out by Aula Research from 5 to 13 March 2024, gathered insights from 1,483 respondents over 18 residing in mainland Finland.
Last month, Huhtamaki announced the closure of its production facility in Port Klang, Malaysia, as part of its strategy to consolidate its production footprint.
