Plastic Packaging in Peoples' Lives (PPiPL): Bridging the consumer attitude-behaviour gap
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Marketing
Abstract
Why do consumers continue to purchase plastic packaging products, even when they have real concerns for the environment and tend to feel positively about more sustainable solutions? How do supply chain actors respond to consumer attitudes & behaviours in relation to the use of plastic packaging? How can we implement enhanced waste management strategies which go beyond conventional plastic packaging solutions? Focusing on the food sector, we aim to answer such questions by developing a better understanding of plastic packaging throughout the whole supply chain, from production to consumption to post-consumption.
If industry and policy are to have any realistic chance of significantly reducing plastic wastage in the UK and abroad, a thorough understanding of the functions of plastic packaging in consumers' lives is needed. However, this understanding needs to be connected to business and waste management practices, to tackle key pinch points inhibiting the drive toward cleaner, greener growth.
The interdisciplinary research will be a collaborative effort between researchers at Lancaster University (from the Management School, the Department of Chemistry, the Materials Science Institute) and an extensive network of industry partners, including: supermarkets (Waitrose - UK Plastic Pact consortium member & Booths); food suppliers (Bells of Lazonby & Butlers Larder); next generation packaging producers (BioTech Services Ltd); professional industry networks (Chartered Institute of Waste Management & Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining); waste management companies (Preston Plastics & Precious plastic); and local councils (Lancaster City Council).
We take a mixed-method approach, drawing on archival data, ethnographic techniques, multi-case study analysis, action-based research, mixed-desk and field-based research, to explore multiple perspectives on plastic packaging in the food sector.
This research speaks directly to the UK's Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Challenge objectives and UK Plastic PACT 2025 targets. Working with stakeholders along the supply chain, this research will provide valuable insights to increase collaboration and shared understanding along the UK food plastic packaging supply chain in order to create a sense of shared responsibility and improved packaging options.
The novelty of this project is that it gathers insights from consumers and their plastic packaging consumption and disposal, but also brings those insights to supply chain stakeholders (producers, retailers, re-users and waste management organisations) and in so doing, develops a detailed and rich understanding of how the attitude-behaviour gap can be addressed. This would allow the team to develop practical guidance on ways to influence people's packaging behaviour. Specifically, we will provide guidance on ways that producers can influence consumers in this domain, to provide consumers with more sustainable and attractive packaging alternatives, or redesign products/operational processes that promote resource productivity and avoid plastic waste. We will also develop guidance for post-consumer packaging organisations on consumer attitudes and discarded plastic packaging indicating drivers, barriers and opportunities for alternative plastic packaging (reusable, recyclable or compostable), effective recycling, and further investment in material recapture.
For a more circular, sustainable model of manufacturing, consumption and disposal centred on next generation packaging to be developed, we need this detailed analysis of consumer behaviour around packaging, alongside a deep understanding of business and waste management practices. This holistic view of plastic packaging in people's lives will drive cleaner, greener growth.
If industry and policy are to have any realistic chance of significantly reducing plastic wastage in the UK and abroad, a thorough understanding of the functions of plastic packaging in consumers' lives is needed. However, this understanding needs to be connected to business and waste management practices, to tackle key pinch points inhibiting the drive toward cleaner, greener growth.
The interdisciplinary research will be a collaborative effort between researchers at Lancaster University (from the Management School, the Department of Chemistry, the Materials Science Institute) and an extensive network of industry partners, including: supermarkets (Waitrose - UK Plastic Pact consortium member & Booths); food suppliers (Bells of Lazonby & Butlers Larder); next generation packaging producers (BioTech Services Ltd); professional industry networks (Chartered Institute of Waste Management & Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining); waste management companies (Preston Plastics & Precious plastic); and local councils (Lancaster City Council).
We take a mixed-method approach, drawing on archival data, ethnographic techniques, multi-case study analysis, action-based research, mixed-desk and field-based research, to explore multiple perspectives on plastic packaging in the food sector.
This research speaks directly to the UK's Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Challenge objectives and UK Plastic PACT 2025 targets. Working with stakeholders along the supply chain, this research will provide valuable insights to increase collaboration and shared understanding along the UK food plastic packaging supply chain in order to create a sense of shared responsibility and improved packaging options.
The novelty of this project is that it gathers insights from consumers and their plastic packaging consumption and disposal, but also brings those insights to supply chain stakeholders (producers, retailers, re-users and waste management organisations) and in so doing, develops a detailed and rich understanding of how the attitude-behaviour gap can be addressed. This would allow the team to develop practical guidance on ways to influence people's packaging behaviour. Specifically, we will provide guidance on ways that producers can influence consumers in this domain, to provide consumers with more sustainable and attractive packaging alternatives, or redesign products/operational processes that promote resource productivity and avoid plastic waste. We will also develop guidance for post-consumer packaging organisations on consumer attitudes and discarded plastic packaging indicating drivers, barriers and opportunities for alternative plastic packaging (reusable, recyclable or compostable), effective recycling, and further investment in material recapture.
For a more circular, sustainable model of manufacturing, consumption and disposal centred on next generation packaging to be developed, we need this detailed analysis of consumer behaviour around packaging, alongside a deep understanding of business and waste management practices. This holistic view of plastic packaging in people's lives will drive cleaner, greener growth.
Organisations
Publications
Cronin J
(2022)
Plastic: a passengerial marketplace icon
in Consumption Markets & Culture
Hardy J
(2022)
Editorial: Enabling Research in Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging.
in Polymer International
Hardy J
(2022)
Special Issue: Enabling Research in Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging
in Polymer International
James Cronin
(2022)
The Little Book of Plastics in Everyday Life
Saltalippi M
(2021)
Has it all been talk? Visualising plastic futures.
Description | ODA |
Amount | £55,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ACP108491 |
Organisation | Lancaster University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | "Responsibility and Plastic Packaging: Exploring the issues for the packaging supply chain" Debate and presentations from the project (23rd September 2021) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Event focused on the theme of responsibility and plastic packaging, exploring the issues for the whole packaging supply chain. Speakers included: the PPiPL project team; Ian Schofield (Packaging & Sustainability Leader and Product Launch Expert. Non-exec Director of Born Ugly Design and Packaging Head at Butlers Cheese); Amy Benstead (University of Manchester); Paul Coughlan and Gonzalo Espiga Paraiso (Trinity College Dublin); Caroline Moraes (Birmingham University); Herve Corvellec (Lund University). Extensive discussion and debate at the time, and afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 'What Matters Now: A Pressing Plastic problem" (June 2022). |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Event featuring presentations from members of the PPiPL team and key industrial partners, sharing our work with a non-academic audience. This event launched the 54 Degrees Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) publication. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 54 Degrees Magazine: The Pressing Problem of Plastics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | 54 Degrees (LUMS) magazine targets a non-academic audience to showcase research "The pressing problem of Plastics". Contributions from our project partners were included in this publication. This is sent to all alumni and contacts of LUMS (Lancaster University Management School). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://doc.your-brochure-online.co.uk/Lancaster-University_FiftyFourDegrees_Issue_14/ |
Description | BASF Connects: Packaging Conference - Panel speaker "Plastic Packaging in People's Lives" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | An invited speaker to this event, to join a panel discussion (of experts from academia and industry) about the role of plastic in packaging, and potential alternatives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Blog: Shifting attitudes and behaviour around plastic food packaging. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This blog was written by one of our project partners, Jude Allen of IOM3 following attendance at one of our events. Allan, J. (2021). Shifting attitudes and behaviour around plastic food packaging. IOM3 Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (online), 29th September. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.iom3.org/resource/shifting-attitudes-and-behaviour-around-plastic-food-packaging.html |
Description | Event Blog: The Future of Recycling | IPT |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Blog to accompany invited talk to Parliamentary Group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Invited Talk: Plastic Packaging in People's Lives: from farm to fork and beyond. Exeter University seminar series, 9th May, Exeter University, UK. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | An invited seminar to an academic audience |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited keynote: Weaving solutions to societal grand challenges: why marketing matters. Academy of Marketing Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited keynote speaker at this event, the main academic conference for marketing in the UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk: Panel Discussion on New Strategies for understanding citizen behaviours & Exhibitors. Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Conference (online), Find the Future of Plastics & Polymers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Panel discussion as part of the project to the GRIPS conference, a practitioner conference (conference stats: 80+ speakers, 50 exhibitors; registrants TBD (not availble to the public yet). Our presentation sparked excellent discussion among the audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/global-research-innovation-in-plastics-sustainability-2/ |
Description | Invited talk: Plastic Packaging in People's Lives: Consumer Perspectives on Recycling. The Future of Recycling. Industry and Parliament Trust Dinner Discussion. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | INvited talk to parliament to a very small audience of business and political leaders. Extensive discussion about policy in this domain, and interest in the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Invited talk: Plastic Packaging in People's Lives: Perspectives on the Consumer Attitude-Behaviour Gap: Leeds Beckett Retail Institute Briefing Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker to an industry forum event at Leeds Beckett University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk: Plastic Packaging in People's Lives: Valuing the afterlife of Materials. Public Lecture at Lancaster Priory. Plastic Waste and Microplastic Research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | General public talk by project team, initiating good discussion among the audience. Public Lecture at Lancaster Priory. Plastic Waste and Microplastic Research Event 12th-14th July, Material Social Futures, Materials Science Institute, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Future Places Centre, Soplas, Lancaster Environment Centre, Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business, Psychology, Future Cities Institute Sunway University & Lancaster University, Leverhulme Trust. 12th July, Lancaster University, UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk: Roberts Mart Open Day (29092022) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited talk : Plastic packaging in People's Lives (PPiPL): From farm to fork and beyond? Audience of practitioners (40-50 participants, industry) Increased interest in project and audience of potential Tier 2 partners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk: Waste, Plastics and inter/transdisciplinarity. Single Use Plastic: A way forward? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited talk to an academic audience, very good discussion among the audience esp in relation to the international and interdisciplinary issues. Waste, Plastics and inter/transdisciplinarity. Single Use Plastic: A way forward? Future Cities Research Institute Sunway & Lancaster University & the American Chemical Society for life, International Chemical Science Chapter in Malaysia (ACS Malaysia Chapter), 22nd April, Sunway University, Malaysia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited talk:Plastic Packaging in People's Lives: Reflections on Engaged Academic Research. The Centre for Sustainability, Responsibility, Governance and Ethics (Surge) seminar series, |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited talk to an interdiscplinary academic audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Lancaster University NERC Discipline Hopping for Environmental Solutions. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | PPiPL was chosen to develop (1) The Little Book of Plastics in Everyday Life. Little Books. Imagination Lancaster, Lancaster. ISBN 9781739713300 and (2) Environmental Solutions: Tackling Plastics video (conversation between management social science and material science). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/environmental-solutions/files/2022/07/NERC-Plastics-in-Everyday-Life.pdf |
Description | News item: Lancashire businesses can find out how to address the big issue of plastic at this event. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A series of news paper articles about our work, in the local press. THese papers appeared in a number of outlets, all listed below: Gavelle, T. (2022). Lancashire businesses can find out how to address the big issue of plastic at this event. The Gazette (online), 23rd May. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/lancashire-businesses-can-find-out-how-to-address-the-big-issue-of-plastic-at-this-event-3705380 Gavelle, T. (2022). Lancashire businesses can find out how to address the big issue of plastic at this event. Lancaster Evening Post (online), 23rd May. Ground News (2021). Lancaster researchers pledge support to Plastic Free July Campaign. Ground News (online), 9th July. Mirage (2021). Lancaster University Management School research team present at global plastic waste conference. Mirage (online), 26th March. Mirage (2021). Researchers pledge support to 'Plastic Free July' campaign. Mirage (online), 30th June. North Business News (2021). Lancaster researchers pledge support to Plastic Free July Campaign. North Business News (online), 9th July. Rouncivell, G. (2021). Lancaster event to bring industry and academia together to tackle plastic waste. Lancaster Guardian (online), 17th September. Rouncivell, G. (2021). Lancaster event to bring industry and academia together to tackle plastic waste. Morecambe Visitor, 17th September. Rouncivell, G. (2021). Lancaster researchers pledge support to 'Plastic Free July' campaign, Lancaster Guardian, 9th July. Science Media Centre (2021) Expert reaction to government proposal for a ban on single-use plastics. Science Media Centre (online), 20th November. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
URL | https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/lancashire-businesses-can-find-out-how-to-addre... |
Description | Panel Discussion on Citizen Engagement & Exhibitors: GRIPS 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This event brought together the academic and industrial community, with representatives from organisations across the supply chain and across multiple sectors including: plastic packaging/FMCG, construction, agriculture, textiles, healthcare, transport. Overall, there were 1969 attendees, 186 speakers, 44 sessions at the conference. Our presentation sparked a wide-ranging discussion with academics and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/global-research-innovation-in-plastics-sustainability/ |
Description | Schools workshop: Plastic Stories - Morecambe Bay Curriculum Day event. Morecambe Bay Curriculum Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This was an event run by Lancaster University, which we were invited to present and lead a session on plastics and their role in everyday lives. Extensive engagement from the school children from a wide range of local schools (they were all Y6). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Summer breaks and plastic waste the quest for plastic free tourism BLOG in Sense & Sustainability, Fresh Perspectives on Sustainable Development. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Blog entry, in the journal |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.senseandsustainability.net/2021/09/08/summer-breaks-and-plastic-waste-the-quest-for-plas... |