| Abstract: | The amount of packaging sent to landfill sites for disposal has gained increased prominence as an environmental issue in Canada as a result of the 1990 National Protocol on Packaging. Recognizing that a number of factors affect a corporation's decisions to modify its packaging, this study seeks to understand forces external to the firm that motivate companies to reduce their packaging waste. Firms in two sectors—soap and cleansing compounds and cosmetics and toiletries—were surveyed by mail questionnaires and personal interviews. Government policies, consumer preferences, and retailer demands were among the external pressures found to affect packaging decision making. Access to external sources of information from suppliers, subcontractors, producer services, and industrial associations was also found to play a role in a firm's decision to modify packaging. In some instances, the impact of external factors was related to differences in the internal characteristics of firms. The paper concludes with policy recommendations arrived at from the data analysis. |
