The UK Attitudes Towards Drinks Packaging Market Report 2023 establishes consumers’ perceptions towards sustainable drinks packaging, how changes in income will affect buying behaviour, and what brands can do to position themselves in the current and forecasted market. Mintel’s drinks packaging market research report provides a detailed overview of the drinks packaging industry, factors considered important for drinks packaging by consumers, and identifies growth opportunities from consumer attitudes. Expert analysis from an industry expert then brings everything together.
Sustainability is a key concern in the current market for the beverage packaging industry. As single-use plastic quantity has dropped significantly, consumers look to brands to showcase their efforts in making their packaging more sustainable. Specifically, visual imperfections in bottles made from recycled materials can be leveraged to showcase this.
While temporary financial pressures cause consumers to deprioritise sustainability in their purchases, sustainability in drinks packaging will remain a focal point for drinks buyers.
With sustainability in mind, 59% of buyers expect that they would change their packaged drink behaviours if a deposit return scheme (DRS) was introduced. This can be important, as drinks packaging makes up a significant proportion of packaging litter. The Scottish government is set to implement a DRS for drinks packaging in August 2023, with the other constituent governments of the UK set to follow in the near future. Brands operating in the drinks packaging industry should aim to demystify DRS as it is introduced, to create clarity around its role for consumers.
Additionally, as sustainable and ethical initiatives such as this take effect, drinks brands can position themselves to take further steps to increase the sustainability of their packaging.
52% of drinks buyers are concerned about the safety of bottles made with recycled plastic. In light of this, companies can highlight their recycling and cleaning processes to reassure consumers. Media coverage that has brought microplastic contamination to public attention may be a key issue here, and can be addressed to allay fears.
In the alcoholic beverages industry, brands are taking steps to reduce packaging weight. Similarly, with soft drinks packaging, as the UK has adopted EU policy to tether caps to bottles, brands are taking steps to align their packaging to this policy. Looking ahead, both alcoholic and soft drinks packaging brands will adopt sustainable packaging initiatives.
As discussed, financial pressures resulting from rising costs will cause consumers to deprioritise sustainability in the short term. However, Mintel anticipates that consumers’ environmental focus will rebound from 2025 onwards.
To discover more about UK Attitudes Towards Drinks Packaging, read our UK Bottled Water Market Report 2022, or take a look at the full catalogue of our Drinks Market Research.
Products: Soft and alcoholic drinks bought at retail, in: plastic and glass bottles, cans made from aluminium and other metals, cartons/boxes (including bag-in-box) and cartons.
Brands: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Aqua Pura, Britvic, Acti-Vit, Capri-Sun, Santal, AG Barr, AB InBev, Gordon’s, Absolut, Evian, Highland Spring, Concha y Toro, Diageo, Bacardi, Carlsberg, East London Liquor Co, York Gin, Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Accolade Wines, The Bush Rum Co, Silent Pool Distillers, Gyre & Gimble, and more.
This report, written by Alice Baker, a leading analyst in the Food & Drink sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the Drinks Packaging market and add expert context to the numbers.
A stronger on-pack emphasis on recycled content in drinks packaging is warranted, given government targets and with this attribute widely seen by consumers as denoting sustainability. Highlighting the procedures they follow to create recycled bottles, including cleaning processes, should help companies to prove to consumers that they are being proactive on the environment while also assuaging safety concerns over recycled plastic.
Alice Baker
Senior Food & Drink Analyst
Mintel is the world’s leading market intelligence agency. We show you how consumers think today and tomorrow. As a trusted partner to industry leaders, we deliver game-changing insights to businesses across the globe, fuelling their marketing and innovation strategies that will shape the future.
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