British Glass: Three quarters of European households proclaim glass to be their favoured packaging material

Monday, 20 April 2009 12:00 AM

A recent survey of 6,200 households across 12 European countries (which included the UK) carried out by FEVE, and released today, finds that 74% of European consumers say glass is their preferred packaging material for food and beverage products, with 56% saying it best preserves taste.

These figures are backed up by an UK survey carried out by British Glass two years ago which found that in 2007 out of 1,000 adults questioned three quarters preferred glass as the most natural form of packaging, with 69% associating it with quality and 66% preferring the taste of food and drink out of glass.

The Green Choice

Dominic Tombeur, President of FEVE, said, "Europeans find glass the most recyclable and environmentally-friendly packaging material. They choose glass because it preserves taste and protects against contamination. It is an important affirmation that consumers see glass as a packaging gold standard."

This view was verified by David Workman, Director General of British Glass, who said, "The results are pretty conclusive - there is an overwhelming preference amongst consumers for inert, environmentally sustainable glass packaging over all other alternatives."

Almost half of the respondents believe that glass has a more positive impact on the environment than other packaging materials like plastics, metal cans and cartons, ranking it the most environmentally-friendly packaging material.

Altogether nine out of ten people knew that glass can be endlessly recycled without loss of quality or performance: 82% of the consumers said they are active and convinced glass recyclers. Germany and Austria lead the way as the best performers with more than 90% of households bringing back their bottles and jars to bottles banks. In the UK that figure was 89%, mirroring that of the EU average.

Healthier, tastier, classier

The survey shows that most European consumers are concerned about the impact that certain packaging materials may have on the food and drinks they buy. Forty-eight per cent say glass is the safest packaging material for health reasons.

Food and drink brands packaged in glass are seen as being prestigious. Eighty-six per cent of European consumers (81% in the UK) feel that glass packaging enhances the experience of a 'special occasion', perhaps even adding a certain cachet and added value to a product. In fact, 85% of consumers polled say they would never think of celebrating a special occasion without products packaged in glass.

Giving consumers a choice

This survey shows that customers are increasingly putting health and environmental concerns over convenience: 45% of European consumers said that given the choice they would prefer glass containers for their water and fruit juices.

Dominique Tombeur said the survey proved that "Consumers like glass, want glass and choose glass when they can. Our new campaign "glass is the clear choice" is aiming to encourage brand owners and retailers to offer consumers a greater choice of products packed in glass."

David Workman agreed, "It is to be hoped that packaging specifiers and brand owners will take note that there is a demand for more glass packaging and start to reflect this public mood when taking decisions on the choice of pack formats they use.

"Given the results of this survey I trust that those who may be tempted to move away from glass will seriously reconsider their positions and those who wish to enhance their brands will look afresh at the attributes that make glass the public's favourite packaging material."

Notes to Editors

1 British Glass

The British Glass Manufacturers' Confederation represents the interests of all sectors of the glass industry in the UK. Its main activity is in representing the industry at European, national and local level on a wide range of topical legislative issues. It also conducts independent research into all aspects of glass production and technology.

2. FEVE

FEVE is the Federation of European glass container manufacturers and machine-made glass tableware. The federation represents the glass container industry at the international - and more especially European - level and serves as a forum for examining common questions. It promotes glass packaging and glass recycling, complementing the activities of the glass industry at national level. www.feve.org

3. Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted with 6,200 consumers spread over 12 European countries (more than 500 respondents per country): UK, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece and Turkey. Ages varied between 18 to 54 years old.

InSites (an independent research company) conducted the survey by means of an on-line survey. The objective was to gain insight into consumers' knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards glass containers in comparison to other packaging materials. Packaging materials compared were glass, plastics, beverage cartons, metal beverage cans and metal and tin conserves. Data collection took place between 4-14 September 2008.

For more information on the survey:

For more detailed survey results across country level, please contact Michael Delle Selve, Communications and Operations Manager, FEVE, Avenue Louise 89, Bte 4, B-1050 Brussels m.delleselve@feve.org

The Conference Presentation:

The Conference Presentation together with country information will be made available on the FEVE website: www.feve.org

British Glass contacts:

Rebecca Cocking
Recycling Manager
E-mail: r.cocking@britglass.co.uk

Jan-Marie Knights
Communications Manager
j.knights@britglass.co.uk

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