APP reveals 62% Canadians would pay more for sustainably packaged food

A new report from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has found that 62% of Canadians would agree to pay more for sustainably packaged food products.

The report revealed that about 40% of the participants would be willing to pay up to 10% more for food products packaged in sustainable materials.

The data was published in APP’s third annual report on Attitudes Towards Sustainability. APP is a trade name for a group of Indonesian and Chinese pulp and paper manufacturing companies.

The survey used Engine’s Online CARAVAN International Omnibus Survey’s representative sample of 1,003 Canadians.

Engine CARAVAN Surveys vice-president Richard Tomasco said: “There is a definite global shift in purchasing sustainable products and Canada is no different.

“Canadian consumers clearly place a high value on sustainability and recognise the collective role they can play to address the environmental issues our planet faces today.”

The report has revealed that 74% of Canadians consider sustainability as one of the factors when making a purchase.

Asia Pulp & Paper Canada sustainability and stakeholder relations vice-president Ian Lifshitz said: “Canadians, especially adults between the age of 18 and 34, clearly value brands that are invested in sustainability and it is encouraging to see the demand for high-quality eco-friendly products and packaging.

“This is what pushes the industry to stay focused on innovation and develop new merchandise supported by fully sustainable supply chains.”

Approximately 56% and 53% of Canadians consider sustainability important when buying retail and office items respectively.

The data also has shown that 97% of Canadians have engaged in sustainable activities such as recycling, printing less paper, composting, reducing the use of single-use plastic straws and cutlery and buying reusable food containers or shopping bags.