Friends of Glass is calling on brand owners to switch back to glass packaging, after a recent survey of shoppers shows that their favourite brands have started using less glass.

Independent research carried out among more than 10,000 consumers across 13 European countries, reveals that people are buying more glass packaging than ever before, while half of all consumers are now buying more products in glass packaging than three years ago.

At the same time, nine in ten people would recommend glass as the best packaging material to friends and family, an 11% increase compared to 2016.

According to the survey, commissioned by Friends of Glass and FEVE, the environmental impact of packaging is seen as an important decision driver in food and beverage purchases, with the majority of consumers (three in four) ‘highly concerned’ about littering of food containers and one in three respondents citing this as their most important consideration.

At the same time, 46% of Europeans state that they have significantly reduced their consumption of plastic to prevent littering in the environment.

Glass consistently scores as the most environmentally-friendly packaging material. Overwhelmingly, it comes out on top in addressing contamination and environmental issues, particularly when it comes to avoiding food littering (glass rated ‘best in class’ by 43% of respondents), avoiding packaging waste (by 43% of respondents) and addressing climate change (by 48% of respondents).

The findings also reveal that the vast majority of consumers are recycling their glass packaging. Some 84% of Europeans state that they collect their glass separately for recycling, with eight in 10 correctly disposing of caps and lids separately. Taking used glass to a local bottle bank is considered the most convenient disposal method across Europe.

www.friendsofglass.com / www.feve.org