Research commissioned by the British Plastics Federation (BPF, London / UK; www.bpf.co.uk) has revealed that most consumers would prefer to squeeze their tomato ketchup out of a plastic bottle rather than a glass one. The survey, carried out independently by YouGov, showed that 77% out of 2,157 respondents opted for the plastic squeezable bottle. In fact, more women – 79% – than men – 74% – liked a squeeze!

The BFP says the survey highlights the many beneficial properties of plastic packaging for the nation’s favourite sauce. Firm, yet flexible, the plastic bottle makes it easier to control the amount dispensed and the top-down design, where the bottle sits on its cap, makes it easier for consumers to get more product out, the trade organisation says. Philip Law, the BPF’s director general designate, comments: “Not only does plastic packaging address society’s sustainability goals, it gets the basic job done extraordinarily well – protecting the product and helping the consumer to use it easily.”

Other plastic containers also come out favourable in the survey. When asked to rank in terms of safety, convenience, versatility, innovativeness and ease of opening, plastic containers of products including beans, shower gel, margarine and water gained 70% and more of the votes. Plastic bottles were also ranked as the safest and most practical 100% of the time in the kitchen, bathroom, shower cubicle, bedroom and nursery.

The full results of the YouGov survey will be launched at the BPF’s "Plastics in Packaging" seminar on 12 June.