New survey-high demand for recycled materials among European consumers

Consumers are demanding circular materials - and opting out of brands perceived as unsustainable. This according to a recent survey of 5,000 respondents in five European markets, commissioned by Stena Recycling in the run-up for this year's Circular Initiative. Here, business leaders from major industrial companies meet to discuss the industry's responsibility for the transition to a circular society. For companies that want to meet consumers in their commitment to climate-smart and circular products, the survey provides many valuable insights.

Every year, around 100 billion tonnes of new materials are extracted around the world. A circular economy requires that these materials are used for as long as possible and can be used as resources for new products, over and over again. Ahead of this year's Circular Initiative, an arena where world-leading industrial companies come together to pave the way for the circular society, industry leader Stena Recycling commissioned a survey of consumer attitudes towards circular materials. The insights from the consumer survey, with 5000 respondents from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Poland, are collected in the Circular Voice report.

This year's Circular Initiative will take place digitally on 5 May. As business leaders, experts and researchers gather for the fourth consecutive year to discuss circularity and transformation, the conversations are based on the Circular Voice report. And there are many valuable insights to be gleaned for companies that want to go circular.

Consumer attitudes are consistently positive, and expectations of industry are high. 8 out of 10 believe it is important or very important for manufacturers to use recycled materials in their products, which means almost 30 million consumers in the five countries. A qualified majority, almost 7 out of 10, believe that products made from recycled materials are of the same quality as products made from virgin materials. This positive attitude is clearly reflected in the survey results:

“A striking number of survey participants are committed to supporting companies' sustainability efforts. In the free-text questions, many took the time to provide tips on product development and product labelling, among other things, to show what they are looking for in sustainable products. This commitment is a great asset for manufacturing companies, which have a lot to gain by taking advantage of customers' ideas and interest," says Malin Baltzar, Sustainability Manager at Stena Recycling Sweden.

The Circular Initiative is initiated by Stena Recycling together with players such as Investor, ABB, Electrolux and Alfa Laval. The Circular Initiative was born out of the conviction that the business community can do more to contribute to the circular society, increase resource efficiency and create more sustainable value chains. It is an initiative that is likely to be appreciated by consumers, as 1 in 3 consumers believe that the main responsibility for driving the trend towards increased use of recycled materials lies with business. At the same time, statistics from the European Commission show that European industries currently use only 12% recycled materials in their production.

“Material use has increasingly become a strategic issue for companies. It is about optimising resource management throughout the supply chain through, for example, design for recycling and optimisation of material flows. Thanks to significant investments, the recycling of materials such as iron and metals has developed significantly and more and more materials can now be recycled. This gives manufacturers access to circular raw materials with the right qualities, which reduces the carbon footprint of products and is key for companies to offer what is demanded in the survey," says Mattias Rapaport, Product Area Manager Non-ferrous in Stena Recycling Sweden.

In spring 2021, 350 company representatives were asked at Stena Recycling's "From waste to circular products" meeting about the use of circular raw materials. In that survey, 16% of companies said they use 50% recycled materials in their products, 36% of companies said they use less than 50% recycled materials and 16% said they do not use any recycled materials at all. However, 4 out of 10 companies declared an ambition to increase the use of recycled materials. A striking number of decision-makers (32%) had no knowledge of whether their products contained recycled materials. Decision-makers were also asked whether they have the necessary expertise to develop circular products. Here, only 25% felt they had the right skills. The ambition is there among companies, but more skills are needed.

Five keys for companies to attract value-driven consumers

1. Brand your products clearly

8 out of 10 consumers want clear labelling of products made with recycled materials - to guide them in their purchasing decisions. When consumers are asked to list the main barriers to buying products made from recycled materials, lack of clarity comes first. Almost 3 out of 10 respondents indicate that the difficulty in understanding what is actually made from recycled materials is the main barrier. This is something for manufacturers to take seriously when developing products and packaging.

2. Producing recyclable and durable products

77% of consumers consider it important or very important that products are recyclable. They are also prepared to pay the same (64%) or more (22%) for products that contain recycled materials and can be recycled. Among the respondents, 4 out of 10 even think that it should be forbidden to produce and sell products that cannot be recycled. The durability of products is also highly valued. 8 out of 10 consider it important or very important for the purchase decision that a product is durable, e.g. easy to repair or that parts can be reused.

3. Take a stand and show what you stand for

The survey is characterised by an expectation of business. When asked whose responsibility it is to promote the increased use of recycled materials, 1 in 3 respondents believe that it is the responsibility of business. Failure to meet consumer expectations can be costly. In the past year, 4 out of 10 consumers have opted out of products or brands that they feel do not meet their sustainability values.

4. Meeting consumers' (high) aspirations

The willingness to adapt their consumption to contribute to a reduced climate impact is high in all countries surveyed. 6 out of 10 respondents want to adapt their consumption to a climate-smart lifestyle and more than a fifth of consumers are willing to pay more for products that contain recycled materials and that can be recycled. To meet the high level of interest and expand sustainable supply, efforts are needed in all sectors.

5. Dare to invest

Almost 8 out of 10 consumers consider it important or very important that manufacturers use recycled materials in their products, representing a population of almost 30 million in the five countries surveyed. At the same time, 3 out of 10 believe that the main barrier to buying more products made from recycled materials is a lack of choice. But the demand is there! 7 out of 10 consumers consider it important or very important that there is a good supply of products for a sustainable and climate-smart lifestyle.

https://www.stenarecycling.com/news-insights/newsroom/2022/high-demand-for-recycled-materials/