Research commissioned by UK packaging materials specialist Aquapak (Birmingham; www.aquapakpolymers.com) has found that consumers overwhelmingly prefer to buy products such as clothes, sunglasses, and accessories online or by mail order, that do not use single-use packaging (SUP).

The survey of more than 1,000 consumers from the UK, carried out by Consumer Intelligence in January 2022, found that more than two-thirds (67%) are willing to try and buy more products that do not use single-use plastic packaging. More than half (54%) said they will try and stop buying products that use SUP packaging altogether over the next three years.

Related: 75% of the world wants SUP ban, and nearly 90% ready for global treaty to cut plastics waste

On wider environmental issues, the study found 58% consumers most concerned about plastics breaking down into microplastics in the ocean and harming wildlife. This was followed by plastics going to landfills (24%) and being incinerated and causing more pollution (12%).

Mark Lapping, Aquapak’s chief executive, said there was no doubt that consumers were ready for change when it came to cutting down the amount of single-use plastic packaging in the fashion industry: “They are very aware of the harm it causes thanks to high-profile environmental campaigns. There are already much better packaging options available, which provide all of the functionality and product protection, without causing long-lasting damage to our planet.”