As recently as five years ago, the tide seemed to have turned on plastic pollution and sustainability. The American public, who these days rarely agree on anything, overwhelmingly acknowledges that plastic is an environmental threat that needs fixing.
Surveys, such as a recent one conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), show that 85% of Americans “think that plastic pollution is a serious and concerning problem that requires immediate political action.” Another survey by NielsenIQ found that a third of respondents agreed with the statement, “It’s an important priority in my life that I try to activate daily.” Forty-eight percent of those surveyed concur with the statement, “Sustainability is important for society, and I try to make sustainable choices when I can.”
According to a joint survey by McKinsey and NielsenIQ, brands with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) claims are also experiencing more sales growth than those without. A study by consulting firm Bain & Company found that consumers would pay 10% more for products with minimal environmental impact, even in the face of inflation and higher prices on most goods.
