Sustainable Food Production, Consumption, and the Generation of
Sustainable Food Production, Consumption, and the Generation of
Sustainable Food Production, Consumption, and the Generation of
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3.0 <strong>Food</strong> Packaging Waste:<br />
Consumer Perception <strong>and</strong> Ecological Consumerism in Victoria, BC.<br />
Crystal Tremblay<br />
Abstract: The amount <strong>of</strong> packaging sent to l<strong>and</strong>fill sites for disposal has gained considerable<br />
prominence as an environmental issue in Canada as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1990 National Protocol on<br />
Packaging. Policies aimed at changing consumer awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> attitudes towards <strong>the</strong><br />
environmental impact <strong>of</strong> consumption are becoming more prevalent in Canada’s waste<br />
management goals. This research presents an overview <strong>of</strong> packaging waste in <strong>the</strong> food industry,<br />
with a particular focus on <strong>the</strong> Capital Regional District. Consumer perception <strong>of</strong> food packaging<br />
waste <strong>and</strong> recycling behaviour is analyzed in an attempt to highlight consumer awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
urgency for reducing food packaging in <strong>the</strong> waste stream. Recommendations from consumers,<br />
industry <strong>and</strong> local government are presented for reducing food packaging waste in <strong>the</strong> Capital<br />
Regional District. This research provides an overview <strong>of</strong> consumer perception aimed for <strong>the</strong><br />
purpose <strong>of</strong> influencing policy discussions.<br />
Key words: food packaging waste, ecological consumerism, recycling, waste management,<br />
consumer perception.<br />
3.1. Introduction<br />
As a result <strong>of</strong> increased packaging in <strong>the</strong> waste stream, measures to reduce <strong>the</strong> amount<br />
<strong>and</strong> toxicity <strong>of</strong> packaging <strong>and</strong> to encourage its reduction <strong>and</strong> recycling are a major environmental<br />
concern for many countries (McCarthy, 1993). Of all <strong>the</strong> manufacturing industries, <strong>the</strong> food<br />
industry generates <strong>the</strong> largest dem<strong>and</strong> on packaging (Henningsson et al., 2004). Minimizing <strong>the</strong><br />
packaging <strong>of</strong> food products presents an opportunity as well as a challenge to <strong>the</strong> food industry as<br />
<strong>the</strong> main concern in <strong>the</strong> supply-chain is for food safety. In order to maintain food hygiene <strong>and</strong><br />
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