Canadian environmental sustainability shopping habits

Overall, Canadians are concerned about the environment and climate change

• 8 in 10 value a sustainable lifestyle.^{Endnote 1}
• 65% feel they have a moral obligation to use environmentally friendly products.^{Endnote 2}
• 6 in 10 report climate change as the top concern.^{Endnote 1}

Canadian consumers are making sustainable food purchases

• 70% say they seek foods with environmentally sustainable production.^{Endnote 3}
  • Of those, 91% report purchasing these foods at least sometimes.^{Endnote 3}
• Those that have strong motivations towards sustainable living are more likely to place their ethics ahead of price when it comes to their food purchases.^{Endnote 1}

Waste and packaging are top of mind for consumers

Packaging preferences

• Consumers have a strong preference for eco-friendly packaging.^{Endnote 1}
• Consumers say they are more willing to purchase sustainable packaging labelled “compostable” or “100% recyclable”.^{Endnote 4}
• Over 90% are concerned about the impact of food packaging on the environment.^{Endnote 4}
• Over half are concerned with plastic use.^{Endnote 1}

Waste reduction

• 80% report being careful about the way they buy and prepare food to minimize food waste.^{Endnote 3}
• Almost 60% are limiting household waste.^{Endnote 1}

Price is the main barrier to purchasing sustainable food

Of the 30% of consumers that rarely or never seek out food labelled as environmentally sustainable:^{Endnote 3}

• 51% say it is too expensive.^{Endnote 3}
• 32% say they lack confidence that these products are actually more sustainable.^{Endnote 3}
• 22% believe there is no difference from other products.^{Endnote 3}
• 22% do not see the value.^{Endnote 3}
• 21% say they do not read environmentally sustainable labels.^{Endnote 3}

Values are important to consumers

• About 50% of consumers feel a brand's values are important and should place more focus on environmental care or consideration.^{Endnote 1}
• Almost two thirds of shoppers say they would likely buy a new sustainable brand, if price and quality are the same.^{Endnote 1}

Consumers are taking action

• Half of consumers say they are buying more sustainable products than five years ago.^{Endnote 1}
• 36% said they switched food products for sustainability reasons.^{Endnote 2}
• 32% report boycotting a food product out of concern that environmentally sustainable practices were not followed.^{Endnote 3}
• 11% report changing their food purchasing habits in 2022 due to climate change.^{Endnote 3}