Attitudes of Latvian consumers to traditional and eco-friendly food packaging materials: comparison of 2007 and 2017

Abstract

Food packaging has an essential role in ensuring safe delivery of food products from 'farm to fork'. However, food packaging accounts for almost two-thirds of total packaging waste by volume and approximately 50 % by weight of total packaging sales. Therefore, consumer attitudes of food packaging have the potential to contribute to and also counteract environmentally sustainable development.In order to assess consumer awareness and attitudes to traditional and biodegradable polymer food packaging materials in the market of Latvia, a 19-question survey was polled in 2007 and 2017. The survey was completed by 1000 respondents (50 % men, 50 % women) from all regions of Latvia (Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale and Riga) each year. The questions were related to consumer knowledge of traditional and eco-friendly packaging, their willingness to pay more for eco-friendly food packaging, as well the difference of packaging and recycling symbols.Compared to 2007, consumers would like to participate in the reduction of environmental pollution more frequently, however, they were not willing to pay more than 5 % for eco-friendly food packaging in 2017.