Reusable Plastic Pails In Ontario: General Market Survey Report Prepared for

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1 Reusable Plastic Pails In Ontario: General Market Survey Report Prepared for By January 2004

2 T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s Methodology & Logistics 3 Executive Summary Summary 4 Top of Mind 6 Importance & Usage 7 19 Litre Pails 9 4 Litre Pails 12 ½ Litre up to 4 Litre Pails 15 Results by Question 19 Results by Question 45 2

3 M e t h o d o l o g y & L o g i s t i c s Study Sample A total of 1,066 randomly selected voting age residents of Ontario, 18 years of age and older were interviewed. The Plastic Shipping Container Institute commissioned Oraclepoll Research Ltd. to conduct the survey. Survey Method The survey was conducted using computer-assisted techniques of telephone interviewing (CATI) and random number selection. A total of 20% of all interviews were monitored and the management of Oraclepoll Research supervised 100%. Logistics The survey data was collected between the days of December 16 th and December 22 nd Initial calls were made between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Subsequent callbacks of no-answers and busy numbers were made on a (staggered) daily rotating basis up to 7 times (from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) until contact was made. In addition, telephone interview appointments were attempted with those respondents unable to complete the survey at the time of contact. If no contact was made at a number after the seventh attempt, the number was discarded. Confidence The margin of error for this survey is ± 3%, 19/20 times. 3

4 E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y S u m m a r y Ontarians have an affinity for rigid plastic reusable pails or containers and seven in ten residents feel it is either important or very important to have reusable packaging as opposed to only 11% that feel it is unimportant. The reusable and environmentally friendly aspects of these containers, specifically diverting waste from landfills are strong selling points for them. The containers also play a role in the purchase decision of consumers, as their versatility and durability in the home setting are attractive to consumers. Containers stay in the home for extended periods of time, especially the larger ones. They have a wide variety of secondary uses ranging from wash buckets and general storage in the larger ones, to food storage in smaller ones. 34% of Ontario residents have purchased products in 19 litre pails, of which 57% stated that the container played an important role in their purchase decision. 80% stated these pails are useful to their household, primarily being used for general storage. Almost eight in ten (78%) keep 19 litre pails for six months or more, 63% keep them for a year or longer and 45% retain them for three years or more. 48% of Ontarians have purchased products in reusable pails in sizes down to 4-litres or 1-gallon in the past year, of which 68% find them useful to their household and 55% stated the containers played an important role in their purchase decision. 4

5 A total of 12% keep 19 litre pails for a period of 1-6 months. More than six in ten (63%) keep them for six months or more, 44% keep them for a year or longer and 27% retain them for three years or more 76% have purchased a product in a ½ litre (16 oz) up to a 4-litre (1 gallon) pail, of which 48% said that this type of container plays an important or very important role in their decision to purchase a consumer product. One-third keep them for one to six months, 19% keep them for 6 months to a year, 15% for 1-2 years and 11% for 3 years and longer. 5

6 T o p o f M i n d Survey respondents were first read a brief preamble describing reusable plastic pails of various sizes. They were then asked what they most liked about these rigid reusable plastic containers. The most cited response from 45% of those interviewed was the fact these pails are reusable, followed by 11% that stated they like them because of their storage capacity, while 7% said they are convenient. A total of 5% of respondents like them as they are durable, 4% because they are recyclable and 3% stated useful. 15% did not know or could not recall what they like about these pails, while only 2% said they do not use them and 1% like nothing about reusable containers. 6

7 I m p o r t a n c e & U s a g e Overall, how important do you feel that it is to have reusable plastic pail packaging as opposed to single use packaging? Please use a scale from one not at all important to five very important. 100% 80% 72% 60% 40% 20% 0% 11% 16% 1% Total unimportant Neither important nor unimportant Total important Don't know More than seven in ten Ontarians (72%) are of the opinion that it is either important or very important to have reusable plastic pail packaging as opposed to single use packaging, while only 11% feel that it is either not important or not at all important.. 7

8 Would you be more likely to purchase a product in a plastic pail in each of the following scenarios? For each scenario please use a scale from one not at all likely to five very likely. If you could reuse the pail in your home for another purpose (at least for a period of time) 9% 9% 81% 1% If it resulted in less garbage or waste going to landfills 7% 10% 81% 2% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Total unlikely Neither likely nor unlikely Total likely Don't know A total of 81% of respondents stated that they would be more likely to purchase a product in a plastic pail if they could reuse the container in their home for another purpose and if it resulted in less waste going to landfill sites. 8

9 1 9 L i t r e / 5 G a l l o n P a i l s Have you purchased any products in a reusable plastic 19 litre or 5 gallon pail in the past year? [These pails contain products such as paint, lawn and garden products, pool chemicals, ice melt, construction materials, pet supplies and laundry detergent.] 100% 80% 60% 64% 40% 34% 20% 0% 2% No Yes Don't know More than one third of Ontario residents surveyed have purchased products in a 19 litre or 5 gallon pail in the past year. The products they were most likely to purchase in these containers included pet food or kitty litter, construction materials and household cleaning products. Those who have purchased these plastic pails tend to do so between 2-4 times a year (43%), followed by 5-10 times (23%), once (16%), times (13%) and 25 times or more (3%). When asked how long they keep these 19 litre or 5 gallon pails, almost eight in ten (78%) keep them for six months or more, 63% keep them for a year or longer and 45% retain them for three years or more. Only 6% stated that they discard these containers after their original contents have been used. 9

10 Respondents who keep these pails were also asked how many times they reuse them by putting new contents into them. A total of 43% stated that they put new contents into them 1-10 times, 16% use them 21 times or more, while 3% claimed daily or weekly. 50 How many of these pails do you currently still have? Percent None Don't know One or more Most respondents have between 2-4 pails, 5-10 pails, followed by pails. The typical uses for these pails include storing various items, gardening or yard materials, pet food as well as using them as wash buckets. 10

11 Using a scale from one not at all useful to five very useful, how useful would you say that these plastic pails are to your household? 100% 80% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 7% 12% 1% Total not useful Neither useful nor not useful Total useful Don't know A high 80% of respondents who keep and reuse 19 litre or 5 gallon plastic pails stated that these containers are either useful or very useful to their household compared to only 7% that were of the opinion that they are not at all or not very useful. Furthermore, 57% also claimed that this type of pail plays an important or very important role in their decision to purchase a consumer product. Only 19% stated that the pail does not play an important role, while 24% had a neutral response (neither important nor unimportant) and 1% were unsure. After their lengthy uses in the home, most Ontarians dispose of these containers in their blue box (63%), while only 16% place them in the garbage. 13% give them away to someone else, 3% keep them in storage and 2% bring them to work. 11

12 4 L i t r e / 1 G a l l o n P a i l s Have you purchased any products in smaller reusable pails in sizes down to 4-litre or 1- gallon pail in the past year? These pails contain products such as [bulk food and other household products 80% 60% 49% 48% 40% 20% 0% 3% No Yes Don't know Almost half of survey respondents or 48% have purchased products in reusable pails in sizes down to 4-litre or 1-gallon pail in the past year. The products these smaller pails most often contained included bulk food items, household cleaning supplies and pet food or kitty litter. Those who have purchased these plastic pails tend to do so between 5-10 times a year (34%), followed by 2-4 times (30%), times (18%), 25 times or more (9%) and only once 6%. When asked how long they keep these 4-litre or 1-gallon pail pails, 22% keep them for a period of 1-6 months. More than six in ten (63%) keep them for six months or more, 44% keep them for a year or longer and 27% retain them for three years or more. A total of 12

13 14% stated that they discard these containers after their original contents have been used. Respondents who keep these pails were also asked how many times they reuse them by putting new contents into them. A total of 53% stated that they put new contents into them 1-10 times, 7% times, 13% use them 21 times or more, while 2% said all of the time and 1% either weekly or monthly. One quarter either did not know or were unsure of the number of times that they are used. 50 How many of these pails do you currently still have? Percent None Don't know One or more The highest percentage respondents have between 2-4 pails and 5-10 pails, followed by pails. Food storage was the most common use for these containers, followed by the storing of various or general items, toys, cleaning items and gardening or yard supplies. 13

14 Using a scale from one not at all useful to five very useful, how useful would you say that these plastic pails are to your household? 100% 80% 68% 60% 40% 20% 0% 9% 23% 0% Total not useful Neither useful nor not useful Total useful Don't know More than two thirds of respondents who keep and reuse 4-litre or 1-gallon plastic pails stated that these containers are either useful or very useful to their household, while less than one in ten stated that they were not useful. A total of 55% stated that this type of pail plays an important or very important role in their decision to purchase a consumer product, compared to 17% that stated the pail does not play an important role, and 28% had a neutral response (neither important nor unimportant). A high 72% place these containers in their blue box when they are unneeded, while only 15% throw them in the garbage and 10% give them away. 14

15 1 / 2 L i t r e ( 1 6 o z ) u p t o 4 L i t r e ( 1 G a l l o n ) Have you purchased any products in ½ litre (16oz) up to 4 litre (1 gallon) rigid plastic tubs in the past year? These pails contain dairy products such as yoghurt, ice cream 100% 80% 76% 60% 40% 20% 23% 0% 2% No Yes Don't know More than three-quarter of Ontario residents or 76% have purchased a product in a ½ litre (16 oz) up to a 4-litre (1 gallon) pail. Those who have purchased these plastic pails tend to do so between 2-10 times a year (32%), followed by times (25%), times (22%) and more than 50 times (18%). When asked how long they keep these ½ litre pails after their original contents have been used, one-third keep them for one to six months, 19% keep them for 6 months to a year, 15% for 1-2 years and 11% for 3 years and longer. A total of 20% stated that they discard these containers after their original contents have been used. 15

16 When asked how many times they reuse these containers by putting new contents into them, 52% stated that they put new contents into them 1-10 times, 10% use them times, while 7% use them 2-70 times, 3% more than 100 times, 3% said all of the time and 1% daily or weekly. A total of 24% either did not know or were unsure of the number of times that they are used. 60 How many of these containers do you currently still have? Percent None More than 20 One Don't know More than half (51%) have 2-10 of these smaller pails, while 24% of these respondents possess and 17% more than 20 containers. Food storage was by far the most common use for these containers. 16

17 A total of 48% of respondents said that this type of container plays an important or very important role in their decision to purchase a consumer product, compared to 27% that stated the container does not play an important role, while 25% had a neutral response (neither important nor unimportant) and 1% did not know. 77% place these containers in their blue box when they are unneeded, while 16% throw them in the garbage and 6% give them away. 17

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