National Survey of Over 1,000 U.S. Residents Provides Insight on Recycling Decisions

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The Foodservice Packaging Institute released a summary of findings from its Resident Messaging Survey, sharing information related to resident assumptions on recyclability, awareness of what items can be recycled, and top sources of recycling instructions. The survey focused on recycling messaging related to take-out items such as plastic cups and containers, paper cups and pizza boxes.

“Findings from the Resident Messaging Survey will inform the development of effective messaging for FPI’s Community Partnership program as more and more communities add new items to their recycling programs,” said Natha Dempsey, president of FPI. “We share these findings with the recycling industry and communities throughout the country to help create messaging consistency and thereby improve recycling of foodservice packaging.”

Survey respondents indicated that the type of material plays a greater role than the form, such as a cup or box, in the decision to recycle an item. Survey responses on paper and plastic cup recycling further supported reliance on material over form for making recycling decisions.

The survey also found that two-thirds of respondents look to the package first to determine if it is recyclable, followed by information directly from the recycling program. The most relied upon information was reported to be the recycling cart/bin signage, closely followed by information on the community or recycling company’s website.

The online survey was managed and analyzed by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) in Fall 2022. Responses were received from 1,042 U.S. residents of at least 18 years of age reflecting a distribution of demographics roughly representative of the U.S. population and taking into consideration age and housing status.

“Even though most residents indicated they check the package to determine recyclability, it is important to note that not all packaging meets the threshold to be labeled as widely recyclable, meaning residents are often directed to check their local program guidance,” said Ashley Elzinga, director of sustainability and outreach for FPI. “This points to the need for clear education campaigns to encourage correct recycling of materials.”

Findings specific to foodservice packaging included:

  • 75% of respondents indicated they would recycle a paper cup. Rationale for recycling included that it was made of paper, followed by the cup form, suggesting reliance on material over form for making recycling decisions.
  • If plastic containers are shown as included in recycling guidelines, but no cups are shown, the overwhelming majority of residents would recycle a plastic cup, suggesting that most residents consider a cup to be a type of container. This also suggests that material (plastic) plays a greater role than form (cup vs. container) in the decision to recycle.
  • 90% of respondents said they would recycle a molded fiber drink carrier if presented with a sample recycling guidance brochure picturing an egg carton made of the same material. This suggests that residents will respond strongly and positively with regard to recycling behavior if shown images that look like the items they are sorting in the real world.

FPI recommends that messaging around recyclability should consider both material and form. However, it suggests grouping recyclables by material and referring to concepts that are most relevant or intuitive to the resident (for example, “paper cup” rather than “coffee cup”) as this can aid in recall and correct recycling behavior. Additionally, messaging that emphasizes “clean and empty” can benefit the entire residential recycling stream.

FPI will host a webinar, focused on Insights into Effective Resident Education on December 5, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET. The webinar will share insights from the survey, discuss best practices and tools, and hear real-world examples of resident messaging. Register for the webinar here: https://recycle.zoom.us/webinar/register/6416986761849/WN_TEfRTed1Quq-RpdFus2edg

To read the survey summary, visit https://www.recyclefsp.org/s/FPI-Resident-Messaging-Survey-2022-Summary.pdf.

Excellence on Display: The 2023 Foodservice Packaging Awards Winners Announced

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In a highly anticipated event, the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) and QSR Magazine have unveiled the distinguished winners of the 2023 Foodservice Packaging Awards. This year, the competition witnessed the active participation of leading names from the foodservice packaging industry. Winners emerged in various categories, with a special Judges Choice award also making its debut.

FPI congratulates all the winners and extends our gratitude to everyone who contributed to this year’s competition. The award-winning packages were recognized for their innovative design, sustainable material usage, convenience, and overall effectiveness in connecting brands with consumers.  These packages exemplify the pivotal role of design in influencing customer purchasing decisions and enhancing product performance in foodservice packaging.

Here are the first-place winners across the categories:

New Menu Launch: Jack in the Box’s Super Snacking Box by Huhtamaki
Jack in the Box took the crown in the New Menu Launch category with its Super Snacking Box, expertly manufactured by Huhtamaki. This innovative creation showcases the perfect blend of culinary delight and smart packaging design.

Innovation in Convenience: Genpak’s ProView Close-Off Containers
Genpak secured the top spot in the Innovation in Convenience category with their ProView Close-Off containers. These containers redefine convenience in food packaging, setting a new standard in ease of use and accessibility.

Innovation in Manufacturing: Eco-Products’ Digital Print Capability and Vegware Paper Cutlery
Eco-Products shone in the Innovation in Manufacturing category with their groundbreaking digital print capability and Vegware Paper Cutlery. Their forward-thinking approach to manufacturing is a testament to their commitment to sustainable practices.

The “Wow” Factor: KFC’s Fill Up Box by Westrock CP
KFC wowed the judges with their Fill Up Box, expertly manufactured by Westrock CP. This packaging not only delivers on functionality but also leaves a lasting impression with its unique and attention-grabbing design.

Excellence in Brand Delivery: Popeyes’ Next-Generation Packaging by Huhtamaki
Popeyes clinched the Excellence in Brand Delivery award with their next-generation packaging, also crafted by Huhtamaki. This packaging exemplifies a seamless blend of brand identity and consumer experience.

In a new addition to this year’s competition, a special Judges Choice award was presented to Inline Plastics for their Safe-T-Chef launch kit. The kit’s consistent use of the brand color palette and the Safe-T-Chef logo were lauded for effectively reinforcing the product brand and building visual recognition.

For nearly two decades, FPI and QSR have joined forces to recognize innovation and creativity in the foodservice packaging industry. This year’s entries reflected the evolving trends in both the packaging and restaurant sectors.

The award recipients were celebrated during FPI’s fall conference and featured prominently in the November issue of QSR Magazine. To explore the full list of winners, visit QSR’s website. For a visual tour of the winning packages, head over to FPI’s photo gallery.

The 2023 Foodservice Packaging Awards have not only celebrated the best in packaging innovation but also set a new benchmark for excellence in the industry. These winners have showcased the transformative power of design in delivering brands to consumers while elevating product performance in foodservice packaging. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the deserving winners!

Celebrating Innovation: Winners of the 2023 Foodservice Packaging Awards Revealed

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The Foodservice Packaging Institute and QSR Magazine have selected the winners of the highly competitive 2023 Foodservice Packaging Awards. This year saw participation from familiar names in the foodservice packaging and restaurant industries. After rigorous evaluation, first-place winners across all categories and a special Judges Choice have been awarded.

“We congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who took part in this year’s competition. The winners’ products are being honored in categories that feature innovative design, thoughtful material usage, convenience or overall effectiveness in delivering brands to consumers,” said Natha Dempsey, president of FPI. “These award-winning packages illustrate the power of design in influencing customer purchasing decisions while also increasing product performance in foodservice packaging.”

The first-place winners are:

  • New Menu Launch: Jack in the Box with its Super Snacking Box manufactured by Huhtamaki.
  • Innovation in Convenience: Genpak for its ProView Close-Off containers.
  • Innovation in Manufacturing: Eco-Products for its digital print capability and Vegware Paper Cutlery.
  • The “Wow” Factor: KFC for its Fill Up Box manufactured by Westrock CP.
  • Excellence in Brand Delivery: Popeyes for its next-generation packaging manufactured by Huhtamaki.

New to the competition this year, a special Judges Choice award was presented to Inline Plastics for its Safe-T-Chef launch kit. The kit was chosen due to the consistent use of the brand color palette and the Safe-T-Chef logo, which worked effectively to reinforce the product brand and build visual recognition.

For nearly two decades, FPI and QSR have partnered in these bi-annual awards to recognize innovation and creativity in the foodservice packaging industry. Many of this year’s entries reflected growing trends in both the packaging and restaurant industries.

Award recipients were recognized during FPI’s fall conference and featured in the November issue of QSR magazine. A full listing of award winners may be found on QSR’s website. Product images of all winners can be downloaded from FPI’s photo gallery.