Organic consumers prefer glass containers

O.W.N. News Network

Glass continues to be the first choice of packaging for most health-conscious organic shoppers, concludes a survey conducted by the University of Oklahoma and the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. According to the poll, most health-conscious organic shoppers believe glass keeps the true flavor and taste (79.8%) and purity (77.3%) of a food product. Glass also continues to be the first choice of the organic shopper by wide margins compared to other forms of packaging for health (77%), quality (67.7%), and preserving product shelf life (67.7%).

“Glass is the natural packaging choice for organic products, as like organic foods and beverages, glass bottles and jars contain no synthetic chemicals or toxins,” says Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “Glass containers are 100% pure, and are made from natural minerals, which include sand, soda ash, and limestone.”

Glass is once again the primary choice when it comes to the superior packaging for the environment (50%), compared to paper (28.3%) and plastic (10.2%), and is also the first choice of consumers who say they care about the environment and their individual and family health.

“Glass containers can be recycled again and again without loss of quality or purity,” says Cattaneo in a release. “Every time you recycle a glass bottle or jar, you help to save energy and our planet. Glass is good for your health and for the environment.”

The survey was conducted by telephone on April 14, 2009, under the coordination of the Newton Marketing Research, Norman, Oklahoma, in conjunction with Professor Doyle Yoon, PhD Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Oklahoma, with a Margin of error of +/- 3.7% (survey facts). The poll included a sample of 1,000 respondents.

The survey also found that in spite of the recession, consumer interest in organic foods continues, especially among younger consumers, with a 57.8 percent between the age of 18-to-34, reporting to purchase organic foods sometime during the year, compared to 38 percent of shoppers ages 55 and older. Consumers are better informed and are willing to pay a premium for products that are healthier and friendly to the environment inside and out.

After the bisphenol A scandals where it was proven that this and other chemicals contained in the plastic can leach out, demand for “pure,” “sustainable” packaging for foods and beverages has become stronger. Consumers want transparency and this literally applies to the possibility to see the product inside the package. Glass offers a cleaner look and the confidence of a material that has been safely used for over 4,000 years, even though its production also causes CO2 emissions and transportation of goods packed in glass may increase their carbon footprint because of their extra weight and potential to break that requires extra packaging.

For more information visit www.gpi.org

Filed Under 2009, Packaging, Trends