Can the divide between consumers and industry on the perceived/actual environmental impacts of packaging be resolved?
Consumer’s perception of packaging depends on what they want a fancy luxury item as a gift or a basic commodity – and how they want to use goods a small container of juice to drink at once or a 3 litre bottle for a party. Consumers only see packaging at almost the end of its useful life once it has reached the shop, so they understandably feel that some items have more packaging than they might need to just get the goods from shop to home. Industry needs to do a better job of explaining what packaging does and why they choose a particular type. 3.Why do foodstuffs need to be pre-packaged? To make sure they survive transport and handling and arrive at home in suitable condition. As consumers we only see the last stage in the distribution chain. Packaging has to protect goods from start to finish. 4.Is it better to be able to pick fruit and vegetables from a pile than buying them pre-wrapped? All fruit and vegetables are packed for transport whatever the distance. Those sold “loose” in
