More and more companies are developing sustainable packaging. In two studies on detergent and mixed
nuts packages, we manipulated their visual appearance and verbal sustainability claims that communicate
eco-friendliness, and tested the influence of these elements on consumers' affective attitudes and
purchase intention. Drawing on two non-student samples, the results show that consumers’ level of
environmental concern influenced their responses to the visual appearance and verbal sustainability
claims of packages. Low (high) environmental concern consumers were (not) sensitive to incongruence
in visual appearance and verbal sustainability claim and showed negative (positive) responses. Next, we
demonstrate that brand ethicality mediated the relationship between the interaction of the visual
appearance, the verbal sustainability claim and environmental concern and purchase intention.