Plastic-free as a selling point – the consumer of tomorrow

Purchase decisions are increasingly influenced by seals, and consumers are demanding less and less plastic in packaging and products. FLUSTIX combines both, and with the seal companies can reliably guarantee their customers both at a single glance.

German consumer behaviour is changing, as a representative study by KANTAR TNS (12/2017) shows: 92 per cent of Germans consider the share of plastic in products and packaging to be too high. More than two thirds of Germans (71 per cent) already draw their conclusions and make a point of avoiding plastic when buying products. “In consumers’ perception, the rampant use of plastic in products and packaging is part of the problem of the future. Manufacturers still have the chance to position themselves as pioneers with plastic-free products and sustainable communication, to get ahead of legislation and even to maximise their revenue in the process. In the interest of an intact environment,” says Malte Biss, founder of the FLUSTIX initiative.

The plastic problem is a challenge and yet an opportunity for companies

Sustainability is a subject that resonates with customers and can even have a positive effect on a company’s revenue. That is confirmed by the study “The effect of sustainability on revenue”. At present every third consumer is willing to pay more for plastic-free alternatives. But how do you recognise such plastic-free products in the supermarket? After all, articles often contain microplastics, labels are stuck on with the help of plastics, or bottle and jar closures are sealed with them. For consumers, an impossible thing to keep track of. “This is where FLUSTIX comes in, labelling products that are verifiably plastic-free. As a reliable, public seal, FLUSTIX offers consumers guidance when shopping,” explains Malte Biss.

It is not only the fact that customers are demanding less plastic in their shopping trolleys that speaks for clear labelling of plastic-free products. Most end consumers decide on the basis of seals whether or not to buy a product. According to the study “Deutschland, wie es isst – the BMEL nutrition report 2016” by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, more than 50 per cent pay attention to seals. At least 35 per cent of end consumers make their purchase decision dependent on a seal. In 2016 food retail generated 176 billion euros in turnover, meaning that around 61.6 billion euros were achieved on the basis of seals in the food sector alone.

Manufacturers who recognise this now, offer plastic-free alternatives and communicate them deliberately are therefore already benefiting.

With the FLUSTIX seal, one of the greatest challenges ahead becomes not a loss but a gain. For the environment, consumers, health and companies alike.