Page 53 - Plastics News July 2026

FEATURE NEWS

Government incentives tailored to support eco- progress in near future.
friendly technologies and materials, such as
compostable bags, could be instrumental. In conclusion, sustainable packaging has transi-
tioned from being a mere trend to a business
Encouraging research and development in com- imperative in India. As businesses navigate an
postable materials represents a strategic av- increasingly complex and interconnected world,
enue. Collaboration between government enti- prioritizing sustainability is no longer optional—
ties, industry associations, and manufacturers is it's a prerequisite for long-term success along
crucial to fostering alliances that share knowl- with the necessary government and regulatory
edge and establish common standards, collec- support.
tively overcoming hurdles in sustainable packag-
ing adoption By embracing sustainable packaging practices,
businesses can mitigate environmental risks,
Offering subsidies, incentives and implement- meet regulatory requirements, satisfy consumer
ing regulations could set a standard and also demands, and drive innovation, all while building
encourage establishments to invest in this area. a more resilient and responsible future for gen-
Additionally, skill development, investment in ca- erations to come.
pacity building, innovation, and raising consumer
awareness can further help to make significant

Attitudes Towards ‘Sustainable Packaging’ Among Consumers

Key findings
rice, quality, and convenience still remains top buying criteria among consumers for products,
while environmental impact continues to be one of the lowest-ranked factors (however, this
Pis not true for all consumer groups).

While respondents named hygiene, food safety,
and shelf life as the most important characteristics
for product packaging when making a purchase, 40
percent of consumers still say environmental im-
pact is an extremely or very important packaging
characteristic when making purchasing decisions.
That said, the overall relative importance of envi-
ronmental factors for consumers has decreased
somewhat.

Among concerned consumers, the impact of littering / ocean litter has become the primary environ-
mental issue across all generations, regions.

Most consumers do not have a strong understanding of which packaging types are more sustainable

July 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 57