LGA consumer survey mirrors OPRL research

OPRL’s Managing Director Jude Allan welcomes recent research conducted by the Local Government Association around packaging and waste. 

The online survey found that nine in 10 (88 per cent) of people believe that packaging should have clearer labelling. It also stated that councils are ‘six times more likely to be trusted to run recycling services than the government or industry’.

Allan said: “With EPR underway, we are seeing major changes to the composition of packaging. Brands are including greater levels of recyclable material and switching to recyclable packaging. But OPRL’s own research has shown that over half of respondents say they cannot always understand whether packaging can be recycled. For EPR to be effective, it is crucial that consumers are given the right tools to make the right choices.

“The LGA’s recent research shows a public that is engaged with the debate around packaging and keen to recycle. However, there is a clear message that was mirrored in OPRL’s consumer survey, showing a degree of distrust for producers and government. When it comes to labelling, consumers need clear instructions and trust in the metrics behind the claims.”

OPRL’s research, which surveyed 5,010 people in Great Britain, found that 68 per cent of our respondents think that recycling is as important – or more important – than ever. It also found that the majority (58 per cent) of consumers look for recycling information when they come to dispose of packaging. Almost 80 per cent said it was important that recycling labels on packaging follow a consistent format.

Ends

Editors notes

•. OPRL is the UKs independent expert in recyclability for packaging, best known for the world-leading on-pack recycling labels that it supplies to its members.  OPRL works to achieve its vision of a world where packaging does not go to waste.

•. OPRL is an independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established to help retailers and brands engage their customers in recycling. 

•. The company’s guarantors span ACE UK, Alupro, British Glass, CPI, INCPEN, LARAC, MPMA and RECOUP. 

•. OPRL was launched in 2009, as a not-for-profit limited by guarantee as part of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The move followed work between BRC, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), their leading members, and WRAP. The aim was to devise a labelling system that would engage consumers with recycling, as local authorities started to roll out basic services.