perception of plastics in the gcc: a gpca study · perception of plastics in the gcc: ... 1 in 5...

31
Perception of Plastics in the GCC: A GPCA Study Craig Halgreen Vice President Corporate Sustainability Borouge

Upload: buiphuc

Post on 26-Aug-2018

224 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

Perception of Plastics in the GCC:A GPCA StudyCraig Halgreen Vice President – Corporate Sustainability Borouge

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Why conduct the survey?

2

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

4,076 participants

Awareness of

plastics

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘plastics’?

Only 16% recall positive attributes

of plastics

Residents in UAE, Qatar, & Oman

are more likely to recall negative

impact of plastics on the

environment

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which types of plastic do you think can be recycled?

6

1 in 5 think that NO type of

plastic can be recycled (the ratio

is even higher in KSA & Kuwait

– 1 in 4)

2 in 5 think that all types of

plastics can be recycled (1 in 3

in UAE & Bahrain)

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Match type of plastics to their international recycling codes

7

An average of 1/3 correctly

matched different plastics to

their international recycling

codes

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Match different types of plastic to their area of use

8

Matched PVC better than other

types of plastics (PVC pipes are

a common construction item)

Plastics vs.

other materials

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which of the following materials result in a negative impact on the environment?

10

~ 4/5 believe that plastic material

has a negative impact on

environment

Even recycled plastic waste

seen as a major polluter.

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Negative Perception about Plastics: Demographics

11

• Negative perceptions about plastic likely to increase with age

• Expats more likely to have a negative perception of plastic

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Alternatives to lightweight plastic bags, in order of their impact on the environment (choose 3)

12

In all 6 GCC countries, as

an alternative to

conventional plastics -

plastic even in

degradable form,

considered more harmful

to environment than

paper, cotton, or jute

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

If no plastics, what alternative material ?

13

In all 6 GCC countries,

primary production

paper is perceived to be

the most likely

alternative (46%)

Almost 2/5 felt that none

of the alternatives were

viable

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Plastics vs. Other Materials: Summary

14

Plastic = material with most negative

impact on the environment

Plastic, even in degradable form,

considered most harmful to environment

Negative perception increases with age &

higher among expats

In case of a total ban on plastics, paper is

perceived to be the most likely alternative

©Gulf News

Usage of

Plastics

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

When you hear the term ‘plastics’, which particular uses or areas of application come to your mind?

16

More likely to recall those plastic products they personally use

More UAE & Qatar residents recall and personally use plastic shopping bags

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Plastic Bags Use: Demographics

17

Below 30 30 to 39 40 and Above

base 1352 1657 1067

Notably, use of plastic shopping

bags appears to increase with

age, possibly reflecting family

sizes

Expats are more likely to use

plastic shopping bagsMale Female Nationals Expats

base 2650 1426 970 3106

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

To what extent do you think the use of plastic products is harmful to your Personal Health?

18

10%

23%

12%

15%

17%

18%

17%

19%

28%

23%

29%

33%

21%

15%

18%

15%

17%

15%

16%

12%

7%

5%

8%

7%

5 – Not at all harmful 4 3 2 1 – Very harmful Don't know

Kitchen & household items

(n=2585)

Food packaging (n=2360)

Shopping bags (n=2117)

Water & beverages (n=1160)

41% believe that shopping bags

are not harmful to their personal

health

Plastic bottles are perceived to

be most harmful to personal

health (38%), then food

packaging (24%)

27% believe that use of plastic

kitchen and household items are

harmful to their personal health

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage 19

Why use these products nonetheless?

Cheap and lightweight

Lightweig

ht and no

alternative

No alternative,

lightweight and

reusable

Lightweight

and recyclable

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which plastics contribute to the problem of littering?

20

Shopping bags are

considered the top

contributor to littering;

and then water bottles

Single use plastics

feature poorly

Building materials also

identified 7%

8%

11%

14%

17%

20%

24%

25%

27%

48%

60%FMCG (includes non-durable

goods)

Food Packaging

Building, Construction, & Infrastructure

Toys & Sports

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical

Electrical & Electronics

Clothing & Shoes

Furniture, House & Office ware

Transport (Automotive, Aerospace)

Energy

Agriculture

Sources of

Information

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Where are you most likely to find reliable and sufficient information on plastics?

22

Facebook slightly more popular

in UAE

Word of mouth in Qatar, Oman,

and Bahrain

Plastics waste

& environment

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

How often do you practice sustainable behaviours?

24

Over 1/3rd never segregate

waste before disposing or

never buy environmental

friendly household items

30% refuse micro-plastics

12% reduce use of plastics

products

~1/3rd use reusable bags and

water bottles

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Why don’t you use reusable bags for shopping more often?

19%

25%

30%

30%

32%

I prefer plastic bags

They are too expensiveto buy

I often forget to bringthem

I don’t know where to get them

They are not easilyavailable in department

stores

25

39%

31%

19%

5%

4%

2%

I reuse all of them

I reuse some of them; throw awaythe rest

I throw them away

I send them to a recycling company

I don’t use plastic bags

I sell them

What will reduce your use of

plastic bags?

49% paper, jute, or cotton bags

44% reusable plastic bags

28% ban on plastic bags

What do you do with the

plastic bags after use?

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which issues are caused by an increased littering or unmindful disposal of plastic material?

26

More than half feel that plastics littering is

harmful to human health

Harm to marine life and animals are the other

big concerns

Concerns with harm to human health caused

by appear to gradually increase with age

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which stakeholder groups should lead against increased littering or unmindful disposal of plastic material?

27

20%

22%

23%

23%

24%

30%

30%

36%

48%Government authorities, who are in charge of

regulations

Manufacturers, who produce plastic products

Individuals or general community members, who buy

plastics based products

Businesses, who use plastics in their packaging

Industry associations, who represent plastic

producers

Academic institutions, who study impact of plastics

on the environment

NGOs or environmental activists

Media or thought leaders

Retailers, who sell plastics based products

Government authorities and

manufacturers should lead in terms

of protecting the environment from

littering of plastic material

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Which efforts will be effective to reduce littering?

28

Majority of efforts should focus on promoting recycling

Total plastics ban or charge on plastic bags is NOT the answer

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Recycling into new products viewed as a better solution to handling waste

29

Qatar Oman Bahrain

base 260 158 155

4%

4%

6%

14%

24%

48%Recycling into new

products

Composting

Energy recovery (waste incineration)

Landfill

Exporting the waste to other countries

Dumping in the sea

KSA UAE Kuwait

base 4076 2021 1219 263

Recycling into new products

Composting

Energy recovery (waste incineration)

Landfill

Exporting the waste to other countries

Dumping in the sea

GCC Polymer Value Chain: Creating Future Leverage

Key Insights

30

Actively participate in the creation of a Circular Economy (cradle-to-

cradle)

Collaborate with government to address issues, build a recycling

industry and sustainable waste collection systems

Promote awareness and sustainable behaviour (reuse and recycle)

Promote the benefits of value-add plastics and how we contribute

to a more comfortable and efficient lifestyle

Address health concerns with fact

Leverage social media to counteract negative perceptions and

messages

Thank you

2016 Plastics Perception Survey was

commissioned to YouGov by the

GPCA Plastics Committee’s

Advocacy Sub-Committee