Packaging professionals within consumer packaged goods companies report growing awareness around the business impacts connected to natural resource scarcity, but robust knowledge and understanding is still absent, according to findings from a survey conducted recently by Tetra Pak^® U.S. (tetrapakusa.com).

Last month, Tetra Pak surveyed 120 sales, marketing, R&D, purchasing and other packaging professionals within the consumer packaged goods industryto explore industry perceptions around company resource management practices, especially in light of diminishing finite natural resources combined with population growth and increased consumer demand for packaged goods.

Among Tetra Pak’s findings, just 41% of survey respondentssays they were “very aware” of the impacts of resource scarcity on their business. And while respondents reported some awareness around eight attributes related to resource management practices within their companies, it is far from pervasive, with awareness levels of most attributes at 50% or less.

“The results of our survey suggest that more must be done to educate and increase attentionaround the impacts of natural resource scarcity,” says BrianKennell, President and CEO, Tetra Pak^® U.S. “This isa very real and significant issue for the packaging industry and beyond. Greater knowledge of the potential risks and deeper insights around solutions can spur companies to adopt risk-mitigations strategies and change their practices,” he added.

Survey respondents reported three top impacts to companies: 1) greater price volatility around supply/raw materials; 2) long-term shortage of supply resources; and, 3) decreased ability to manage costs.

Respondents also cited the following as the top reasons for using renewable materials:

• Sustainable resource management will contribute to growth
• Using renewable materials allows company to secure long-term supply
• I expect demand for renewable packaging to increase
• Using renewable resources can help mitigate climate change

Survey findings also reveal that respondents are uncertain if companies are doing the right things and following best practices. Only 18% of respondents report being satisfied with their company’s resource management practices, and only 22% believe their company has a good understanding of actions to take to become an industry leader.