Feb 16 2021
HLP Klearfold, the world's largest producer of innovative and environmentally friendly printed plastic/acetate packaging, commissioned the report which used Comparative Linguistics Analysis (CLA) to help unpick the language, phraseology, topics and sentiment of millions of words of public conversations and content online.
The data has revealed that people were 7.4x more likely to reference the term ‘advice’ when commenting on plastic packaging in 2020 compared to in 2019 and 1.9x more likely to reference the term ‘know’ (for example “just don’t know”) in commentary on plastic packaging over that same time frame.
The analysis also shows that people are uncertain about regulations on how things should be recycled (e.g. from local councils). With statements including: “I'm trying to work out if you accept and recycle soft plastic packaging like cellophane and plastic wraps etc. the council advice is unclear” and “my present bugbear is the recycling advice on a lot of plastic packaging currently not recyclable''
Further findings of the report include:
People tend to discuss plastic reduction or reusing much more than plastic recycling.
People were 4.3x more likely to reference the term ‘reusing’ in commentary on plastic waste in 2020 than in 2019.
With the rise in people being aware of the ethics of businesses, it is important to people that brands communicate where materials are sourced from.
People were 5.3x more likely to reference the term ‘sourced’ in commentary on plastic and environment in 2020 than in 2019.
In 2020, there was vastly more social commentary on government matters concerning plastic packaging.
People were 22.9x more likely to refer to matters relating to government policy in commentary on plastic packaging in 2020 than in 2019 (e.g. ‘budget 2020’, ‘plastic packaging tax’, etc).
Despite figures from the British Plastics Federation (BPF) stating that recycling rates have improved over the last 20 years (from 13,00 tonnes of plastic bottles being recycled to 380,000), this CLA report highlights that more still needs to be done to educate the public about recycling. They want more advice on how and where to recycle as well as more information on the various types of recycling symbols found on packaging.
It’s also clear from the report that where people are referencing the term ‘reusing’ in terms of plastic waste there needs to be more awareness of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCW) among both consumers and businesses.
Post-consumer waste (PCW) is the material leftover or discarded from a product once it has been used. For example, an empty plastic water bottle or a newspaper that someone has finished reading. By producing plastic from 100% recycled consumer waste plastics can be diverted from landfills and their use is extended.
HLP Klearfold recognises the environmental issues plastics pose and is continuously aiming to increase its use of recycled materials in the manufacturing process. HLP Klearfold offers RPET packaging - which is made from 100% recycled consumer waste and is 100% recyclable. Their products are also SCS certified, which verifies their commitment to the environment and sustainability.
Both the SCS certificate and recycled plastic waste packaging allows businesses to avoid the upcoming plastic tax in April next year which is aimed at encouraging businesses to include recycled plastic waste in their manufacturing process.
Lianne Pemberton, Business Development Director at HLP Klearfold, said: “The CLA findings are very encouraging for us as a business.
“It’s great to see that there is an increased interest in plastic and people are looking for advice and starting to have conversations about it.
“We too think that more education is needed and that needs to come from manufacturers, brand owners and government policy.
“It is clear that there needs to be clarity on recycling symbols and communication and we need to work on a unified recycling system.
“HLP Klearfold is committed to supporting and encouraging people to recycle.
“We want everyone to join us in the zero waste revolution.
“This CLA research highlights to us that we need to educate brands and consumers, the more people who use PCW (Post Consumer Waste) the more will be collected.
“Encouraging people to recycle enables us to obtain PCW more easily and therefore use less virgin polymer.
“It’s important that we resign to reduce raw material and components to keep costs comparable and also use mono materials only for maximum recycling.