Abstract
Food waste and environmental degradation are pressing concerns in Nigeria, with significant economic, social, and environmental implications. The role of packaging design in addressing these issues has been overlooked. This study investigates the impact of packaging design on food waste reduction and environmental sustainability in Southeast Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study area is Southeast Nigeria, with a focus on the food processing and packaging industries. The population consists of food manufacturers, packaging designers, and consumers in the region. A sample size of 480 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling. The objectives of this study are; to examine the current state of packaging design in Southeast Nigeria and its impact on food waste reduction, examine the relationship between packaging design and food waste reduction, and identify the barriers and challenges faced by food manufacturers and suppliers in adopting sustainable packaging designs in Southeast Nigeria. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Specifically, ANOVA was employed to examine the relationship between packaging design and food waste reduction. The findings reveal a significant relationship between packaging design and food waste. It shows that poor packaging design, inadequate packaging materials and lack of packaging standards are major contributors to food waste. It was recommended among others that, food manufacturers and suppliers should use biodegradable packaging materials, and that government should develop and enforce packaging standards that promote sustainability and reduce food waste.