November 2022
Featured in this insight: Climate change & environment, Retail, International
91% of U.S. consumers consider the amount of plastic used in a product before buying it: A survey of U.S. citizens by UK-based company, Xampla, has revealed that nine in ten are engaged in thinking about the amount of plastic used in a product, before they take the plunge and purchase it.
Xampla is a spin-out from the University of Cambridge which is currently making a plant protein alternative to plastic which performs just like synthetic polymers but decomposes naturally and fully without harming the environment at the end of life.
The research found that 95% of U.S. respondents polled are concerned about the amount of plastic still being used in world, with 57% saying they are 'very' or 'extremely' concerned about the plastic problem.
Looking at who they believe is responsible for addressing the issue of excessive plastic production, 45% of respondents pointed to the producers and manufacturers, while three in ten (30%) believe it is a consumer’s responsibility. A quarter, however, point a finger at the government, saying that the plastic problem should be tackled at a higher level, with state intervention and legislation.
The survey also found that more than half the respondents polled (53%) said they would be prepared to pay more for products that use no plastics, significantly less plastics or non-polluting plastic alternatives.
Former Unilever chief sustainability officer, Jeff Seabright, who is also the chairperson for Xampla, said:
“The mantra to reduce, reuse and recycle only scratches the surface of the problem. It’s time to reimagine, redesign and replace for the sake of our planet and future generations.”
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