Survey: Organic Shoppers Prefer Glass Packaging

The results of a new survey show that more than 75 percent of shoppers that buy organic food prefer glass packaging to preserve the purity and taste of the product.

Some consumers are purchasing organically grown and processed foods as a way to reduce their exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Photo: Lindberggrp.com

The study also found more than 55 percent of shoppers between the ages of 18 and 34 purchased organic food last year.

The Glass Packaging Institute commissioned this poll via telephone with help from the University of Oklahoma and was able to compare results with a similar survey conducted in 2006. Since then, consumer interest in purchasing organic food has increased 5 percent.

Glass won as the packaging of choice for organic food in a number of categories, including environmental friendliness and ability to preserve shelf life. More than 85 percent of respondents said glass was the best packaging container to ensure the healthiness of organic food.

Regardless of the additional cost in a struggling economy, organic sales grew 17 percent in 2008 to more than $24 billion. More than $22 billion of this was spent on organic food.

However, some retailers are switching to plastic bottles, claiming that the change cuts greenhouse emissions. Australia-based Foster’s Group has decided to switch the packaging for its new “Green label” brand wines from glass to plastic.

With this move, the company expects to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the bottle by 29 percent. One reason for lower emissions is that PET plastic is considerably lighter than glass bottles, meaning transportation would have less of an eco-impact.