Consumer Perceptions Towards Sustainable Packaging Alternatives for Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Abstract

In the food industry, environmentally friendly packaging options are becoming more and more in demand. This study focuses on consumer perceptions of sustainable packaging options for the popular American dairy product, shredded cheddar cheese. The objective of the study is to create a bridge between the preferences of consumers and the practices of the industry. The research combined a large-scale online survey with descriptive questions and qualitative focus group study to understand detailed behavioral observations. They were evaluated based on physical appearance, cost, and data from lifecycle assessment of the five packaging materials: a control, a recycle-ready alternative, and varying levels of post-consumer recycled content (30%, 90%) as well as compostable Polylactic Acid (PLA) plastic. The online survey revealed that 49% of participants preferred the compostable option, 22% the recycle-ready, 24% the 90% PCR, 5% the 30% PCR, and 3% the control. Notably, 51% of consumers would pay up to a 10% premium or less, and 39% would pay more than 10%, reflecting increased environmental awareness. While compostable packaging was most popular choice in online surveys, its perceived practicality issues, such as crinkle noise, influenced its lower ranking in focus groups. 90% PCR was second highest but due to its cloudy appearance most people chose 30%. The findings suggest that addressing both the functional and environmental aspects is crucial for increasing consumer acceptance. Future research should focus on improving the design and overall user experience of sustainable alternatives to enhance their appeal and encourage wider adoption.