PAPER PACKAGING: CONSUMER PERCEPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS
Keywords:
eco-friendly packaging; consumer attitudes; paper-based packaging; eco-innovation in packaging.Abstract
The study focuses on current trends and innovations in product packaging that reflect consumers' growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly materials. This study, based on a literature review and secondary analysis of a questionnaire survey of a sample of Slovak respondents, examines consumer preferences, attitudes toward packaging materials, and motivations for recycling or reuse. The results show that paper and paper packaging are perceived as the most eco-friendly materials, with consumers appreciating their biodegradability, recyclability, and health safety. Nevertheless, the environmental parameters of packaging are only taken into account to a limited extent in purchasing decisions, and the willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly solutions remains rather moderate. The analysis also shows that generational differences were not statistically significant in most cases, except for a preference for paper packaging, which was strongest among older respondents. The study concludes by presenting examples of innovative paper-based packaging and suggests the direction of future developments in sustainable packaging materials.
References
Albéa, 2024. Sustainability Report.URL: http://www.albea-group.com
Amberg, N., Fogarassy, C., 2019. Green Consumer Behavior in the Cosmetics Market. Resources 8, 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8030137
Boz, Z., Korhonen, V., Sand, C.K., 2020. Consumer considerations for the implementation of sustainable packaging: A review. Sustainability 12, 2192. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062192
Cinelli, P., Coltelli, M. B., Signori, F., Morganti, P., Lazzeri, A., 2019. Cosmetic Packaging to Save the Environment: Future Perspectives. Cosmetics 6, 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6020026
Cochran, W. G., 1954. Some methods for strengthening the common χ² tests. Biometrics 10, 417–451. https://doi.org/10.2307/3001616
Conzoomer, 2023. Conzoomer 2023: Slovak consumer. Bratislava: 2muse. Internal research report [Slovenský spotrebiteľ. Bratislava: 2muse. Interný výskumný report].
Dimock, M., 2019. Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center. URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/.
Duarte, P., Silva, S.C., Roza, A.S., Dias, J.C., 2024. Enhancing consumer purchase intentions for sustainable packaging products: An in-depth analysis of key determinants and strategic insights. Sustainable Futures, 7, 100193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100193
Drobac, J., Alivojvodić, V., 2020. Green face of packaging – Sustainability issues of the cosmetic industry packaging. MATEC Web of Conferences 318, 01022. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202031801022
Fehérváry, K., 2009. Goods and states: The political logic of state-socialist material culture. Comparative Studies in Society and History 51, 426–459. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417509000188
Herrmann, C., Rhein, S., Sträter, K.F., 2022. Consumers’ sustainability-related perception of and willingness-to-pay for food packaging alternatives. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 181, 106219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106219
Holotová, M., Nagyová, Ľ., Holota, T., 2020. The impact of environmental responsibility on changing consumer behaviour – sustainable market in Slovakia. Economics & Sociology, 13(3), pp.84–96. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2020/13-3/6
Holčíková, L., 2025. Paper as a packaging material – consumer perception and trends. Diploma thesis. Zvolen: Technical University of Zvolen [Papier ako obalový materiál – vnímanie zo strany spotrebiteľa a trendy. Diplomová práca. Zvolen: Technická univerzita vo Zvolene].
Horská, E., Šedík, P., Mušinská, K., Savitskaya, T., Grinshpan, D., Kačániová, M., 2021. Acceptability of edible food packaging in Slovakia: A case study on young generation. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 720700. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.720700
Chen, Ch., 2024. What eco-materials will lead the cosmetic packaging market by 2025? URL https://beautipak.com/eco-materials-cosmetic-packaging-2025/
Chirilli, C., Molino, M., Torri, L., 2022. Consumers’ awareness, behavior and expectations for food packaging environmental sustainability: Influence of socio-demographic characteristics. Foods 11, 2388. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11162388
Kádeková, Z., Košičiarová, I., Vavřečka, V., Džupina, M., 2020. The impact of packaging on consumer behavior in the private label market – The case of Slovak consumers under 25 years of age. Innovative Marketing 16, 62–73. https://doi.org/10.21511/im.16(3).2020.06
Kopaničová, J., Klepochová, D., Vokounová, D., Korčoková, M., 2025. Generational shifts in sustainable consumption: A longitudinal study of Generations X and Y in Slovakia. Central and Eastern Europe in the Changing Business Environment: Proceedings of the 25th International Joint Conference, pp.170–184. https://doi.org/10.53465/CEECBE.2025.9788022552257.170-184
Kristanto, D.D., Nugraha, H., Purwanto, E., Leksono, F.B., 2024. Unveiling Indonesian coffee identity: Developing packaging designs aligned with Japanese trends. Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies (ICoMSi 2023), 474–488. Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-228-6_39
Kroonenberg, P.M., Verbeek, A., 2018. The tale of Cochran’s rule: My contingency table has so many expected values smaller than 5, what am I to do? The American Statistician 72, 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/00031305.2017.1286260
Lin, Y., Yang, S., Hanifah, H., Iqbal, Q., 2018. An exploratory study of consumer attitudes toward green cosmetics in the UK market. Administrative Sciences 8, 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci8040071
Lindh, H., Olsson, A., Williams, H. 2015. Consumer perceptions of food packaging: Contributing to or counteracting environmentally sustainable development? Packaging Technology and Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2184
Loučanová, E., Kalamárová, M., Parobek, J., 2017. The innovative approaches to packaging – Comparison analysis of intelligent and active packaging perceptions in Slovakia. Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series 27. https://doi.org/10.1515/sues-2017-0007
Loučanová, E., Nosáľová, M., Olšiaková, M., 2024. Green innovations and green consumers oriented toward a lifestyle connected with nature. Achieving sustainability in forest-based industry: Scientific book (pp. 19–33). WoodEMA. ISBN 978-953-8446-03-0.
Loučanová, E., Olšiaková, M., Štofková, J. 2022. Ecological innovation: Sustainable development in Slovakia. Sustainability, 14(19), 12620.
Młoda-Brylewska, K., Melski, K., 2024. The use of disposable packaging in the aspect of environmental protection in the assessment of consumers' opinions. https://doi.org/10.56091/CTQS.Innov-13
Najdený, M., 2019. Consumer behaviour of seniors visiting shopping malls – Case study from Bratislava (Slovakia) [online]. Prešov: University of Prešov. URL https://www.unipo.sk/public/media/33748/536-CONSUMER%20BEHAVIOUR%20OF%20SENIORS%20VISITING%20SHOPPING%20MALLS%20-%20CASE%20STUDY%20FROM%20BRATISLAVA%20%28SLOVAKIA%29.pdf
Nitkiewicz, T., Wiszumirska, K., Jachimowski, A., Rychwalski, M., 2024. Managing circularity of packaging for food products – Carbon footprint assessment of innovative coated paper packaging. CTQS.Innov-14. https://doi.org/10.56091/CTQS.Innov-14
NMI – National Marketing Institute, 2004. LOHAS Segmentation Reflects Increasing Sophistication of Sustainability Marketplace. URL: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://faunalyti cs.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/05/Citation887.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj56rfH2YeHAxWb_rsIHc9QCD MQFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw29kcXDS5YUohuncQYK7ZQq /
Norton, V., Waters, C., Oloyede, O.O., Lignou, S., 2022. Exploring consumers’ understanding and perception of sustainable food packaging in the UK. Foods 11, 3424. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11213424
NonOilen., 2025. Bioplastic from Slovakia. URL: https://dev.nonoilen.com/sk/nonoilen/nonoilen-cyklus/
Oloyede, O.O. Lignou, S., 2021. Sustainable paper-based packaging: A consumer’s perspective. Foods 10, 1035. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10051035
Otto, S., Strenger, M., Maier-Nöth, A. Schmid, M., 2021. Food packaging and sustainability – consumer perception vs. correlated scientific facts: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 298, 126733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126733
Plant Based Products Council, 2021. Consumer trends. URL https://pbpc.com/consumer-trends/
Pro Carton, 2025. European Consumer Packaging Perceptions Study: An independent assessment of the importance of packaging sustainability on consumers’ purchasing decisions. URL https://www.issuu.com/procarton/docs/european_consumer_packaging_perceptions_study_2025
R CORE TEAM, 2024. R: A language and environment for statistical computing [computer program]. Version 4.4. Vienna: R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Available from: https://cran.r-project.org
Releaf Paper, 2025. Releaf Paper – manufacturer of paper made from fallen leaves. URL: https://www.releaf-paper.com/
Resimović, L., Brozović, M. & Kovačević, D., 2022. Design of sustainable packaging for natural cosmetics. Journal of Applied Packaging Research 14, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.13131/japr/18078
Sharma, A., 2025. Paper Packaging Market Report 2025 (Global Edition), 8th ed., Report ID: CMR219565. Manufacturing & Construction.
Siddiqui, S. A., Profeta, A., Decker, T., Smetana, S., Menrad, K., 2023. Influencing Factors for Consumers’ Intention to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Different Groups of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods in Germany. Sustainability 15, 7625. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097625
Smolka, S., Smolková, E., Vilčeková, L., 2021. Sustainability as a factor of changing marketing strategies based on the customers’ preferences in context of different generations in Slovakia. Marketing Science & Inspirations, 16, 2–12. https://doi.org/10.46286/msi.2021.16.3.1
Steenis, N.D., van Herpen, E., van der Lans, I.A., Ligthart, T.N., van Trijp, H.C.M., 2017. Consumer response to packaging design: The role of packaging materials and graphics in sustainability perceptions and product evaluations. Journal of Cleaner Production 162, 286–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.036
Štofkova, J., Štofko, S., Loučanova, E., 2017: Possibilities of using e-learning system of education at universities. INTED2017 proceedings (pp. 6965-6972). IATED.
THE JAMOVI PROJECT, 2024. jamovi [computer program]. Version 2.6. URL: https://www.jamovi.org
Toppan Printing, 2020. Toppan develops paper‑based tube pouch. Packaging Europe. URL: https://packagingeurope.com/toppan-develops-paper-based-tube-pouch/6585.article
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Martina Nosáľová, Hana Maťová

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Journal publishes in an open access model. It provides immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons BY 4.0 license.