Meat packaging sustainability perception among undergraduate university students studying Food and Forensic Science related courses: A Coventry University scoping exercise

Abstract

Meat and non-recyclable multilayer film packaging waste has contributed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which impact the environment. In the UK, the Waste & Resource Action Programme (WRAP) established a plan to tackle meat and plastic waste; however, its success is impossible without extended consumer responsibility. This study aimed to investigate students' perceptions of meat packaging sustainability. Students (n=34; male=9, female=25) were recruited from Coventry University, England. Respondents consisted of students who were staying on and out of campus. The study was conducted via an online JISC questionnaire and images asking about recycling, knowledge and sustainability perception of meat and meat packaging. The survey revealed that a significant number of students living in student accommodation (P=0.006) do not have recycling waste bins and are unaware of recycling collections (P=0.035) compared to those living in houses or flats. The photo-based observation (PBO) study showed that specialistic on-pack recycling labels (OPRL) logos do not increase recycling rates. Also, a significant understanding of packaging and meat waste reduction was observed among females (P=0.044) and those who were enrolled in Food courses (P=0.031). However, a significant understanding of the role of the plastic packaging in shelf life and meat waste reduction was shown among respondents from Food, Nutrition and Health-based courses (P=0.041). Therefore, the problem of packaging and meat sustainability is complex and depends on different variables such as consumer's sociodemographic, knowledge, and perception of plastic packaging design.