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Minnesota Beef
Partnerships

Minnesota Beef Council

In recent years, AURI has partnered with the Minnesota Beef Council on several grants to investigate consumer perceptions of ground beef packaging.

This project examines how consumer perceptions of packaging sustainability differ from the actual environmental impacts of various packaging formats.

Split into two phases, the first focused on comparing consumer perceptions and the actual environmental impacts of traditional packaging options, such as expanded polystyrene (commonly known as StyrofoamTM), with alternative options.  Results highlighted a disconnect between consumer perception and actual environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions. The study also identified opportunities for the beef industry to improve consumer education on packaging and packaging design, and to conduct future research linking package sustainability metrics to food waste and industry sustainability efforts.

Phase two focused on the link between consumer perception of packaging formats and food waste reduction. Results showed that consumers preferred transparent packaging to showcase the product, resealability, and portion controllability, even though many initially perceived traditional paper-wrapped products as more environmentally friendly. As with phase one, phase two showed a disconnect between the consumer perception of environmental friendliness and actual environmental impact. The study also described potential future efforts around intelligent packaging, recycling systems, and equipment upgrades that could improve both actual and perceived environmental impacts.

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