Preferences for Sustainable Food Packaging in New York State
As global emphasis on environmental sustainability increases, understanding consumer behavior toward sustainable packaging, the industry with very high levels of plastic usage, becomes crucial. This thesis investigates consumer practices around recycling and their awareness of different recycling logos and sustainable plastic packaging options while also studying their preferences for sustainable plastic food packaging and their willingness to pay (WTP) for recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable options. The study also aims to analyze preferences and WTP with a focus on how differentinformational treatments—namely, videos and infographics—affect consumer choices. The research was conducted through an online survey with a structured choice experiment among 449 participants recruited in New York State. These participants were exposed to various sustainable packaging symbols and educational content detailing the environmental impacts of different packaging options. The findings indicate a strong preference for biodegradable packaging, followed by recyclable and compostable options. Notably, the video treatment significantly enhanced WTP across all sustainable packaging types, with the highest increase for biodegradable packaging. Although the infographic also positively impacted WTP, it was less effective than the video, particularly for biodegradable and compostable packaging. This research contributes to the existing literature by quantifying the impact of specific communication strategies on consumer preferences for sustainable packaging. It underscores the potential of targeted informational campaigns to significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions towards environmentally friendly options. The findings advocate for the integration of effective video educational content into marketing strategies to bolster environmental consciousness among consumers especially the use of biodegradable plastic, thereby supporting the transition towards a more sustainable packaging industry.