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Economist Impact, in co-operation with The Nippon Foundation, surveyed consumers and executives in early 2021 to understand their opinions about plastic waste and its management
The consumer survey encompassed 1,800 people around the world, with half from Generation Z (1997-2003) and Millennials (1981-96), while the other half were from Generation X (1965-80) and Baby Boomers (1946-64). The executive survey covered almost 800 business executives from a variety of sectors, including chemicals, construction, electronics, fast-moving consumer goods and healthcare.
Some of the survey’s key results are summarised below.
Plastic items are too cheap and too ubiquitous for consumers to reduce their use or increase recycling.
Plastic items are too cheap and too ubiquitous for consumers to reduce their use or increase recycling.
Consumers want cheap and sustainably designed products.
Executives support extended producer responsibility for plastic-producing and -using businesses.
Executives agree that optimising plastic production will prevent the problems of increasing plastic waste, but most organisations are yet to focus on sustainable product design.
Executives believe consumers will pay more for products or services that are more sustainable.
The Back to Blue Plastic Management Index has been launched. It examines plastic management through the lens of policy, regulation, business practice and consumer actions at a country level.
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Back to Blue is an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, two organisations that share a common understanding of the need to improve evidence-based approaches and solutions to the pressing issues faced by the ocean, and to restoring ocean health and promoting sustainability