As consumers increasingly value eco-friendly practices, brands must prioritize sustainability inaddition to quality. Brands should consider replacing single-use plastics in favor of recyclable, compostable or reusable alternatives, according to the 2018 Consumer Trends Report of U.S. consumers released by Asia Pulp & Paper (Indonesia) this week.

From the largest stadiums and theme parks to worldwide fast food chains, brands should continue to transition away from single-use plastics – cups, straws, bowls and more – as images of recognizable logos floating in oceans and sitting in natural habitats have made the rounds. More than half (56%) of consumers are concerned about the effect these products are having on the environment. Sustainable solutions for brands exist to meet this growing consumer demand.

E-commerce trends are shaping consumer expectations regarding at-home deliveries. Among millennial consumers, more than two in five (41%) estimate they will continue to rely more and more on delivery services for everything from food to household goods. With the continued rise of services like GrubHub, Seamless and Uber Eats, restaurants in particular should look for packaging options that are flexible, functional and sustainable.

The study was fielded using Engine’s twice-weekly Online CARAVAN® Omnibus Survey. Respondents were members of an online panel and had agreed to participate in online surveys and polls. As such, no estimates of sampling error can be calculated. Completed interviews are weighted by five variables – age, sex, geographic region, race and education – using data from the U.S. Census Bureau to help ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, 18 years of age and older. The online survey was fielded between August 16-19, 2018, polling 1,003 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.