Although quality (89%) and price (84%) continue to be the most important factors for consumers when making purchases, the reuse and recycling of products is increasingly present in their minds (83%).
According to an Accenture study conducted in 11 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia, there are other "drivers" of purchasing decisions, such as health and safety (49%) and environmental impact (37%). " The shift in purchasing habits, with more consumers willing to pay extra for environmentally friendly products, reinforces the need for companies to increase their commitment to responsible business practices ," says Jon Zubizarreta, managing director of Accenture Strategy.
The study also indicates that consumers believe the chemical industry, which plays a key role in the use of recycled and reusable technologies and materials, is not overly concerned about its environmental impact. Specifically, one in four consumers (26%) believes that the chemical industry is the least concerned about its environmental impact out of the nine sectors included in the survey.
The survey highlights that plastics are the least environmentally friendly type of packaging, cited by 77% of respondents, while paper products are the most sustainable, mentioned by 55%.
