'Exploring University Students' Awareness, Attitudes, and Behaviors Towards Plastic-Free and Eco-Friendly Packaging

Abstract

 The aim of this study is to assess university students’ understanding, perception and practice with regards to plastic-free and sustainable packaging. Due to the fact that students are both key consumers and future decision-makers, their perception towards sustainability shocking at the rising global plastic pollution. Convenience sampling was used, and participants were students who filled out a self-developed 39 item questionnaire about their knowledge, perception, and practices of sustainable packaging. These included; demographic profile, knowledge acquisition time line, attitudes, awareness, and overall perception. The study reveals that most of the students have some level of recognition of terms like ‘plastic-free’ or ‘eco-friendly packagings’ but there is a lot that they do not know about concepts such as biodegradable and compostable packaging. Students were reported to have positive attitudes towards paying more for sustainable packaging even if these attitudes did not transfer to the consumption patterns since only few of them actively searched for products that did not contain plastics. When it comes to increasing the use of sustainable materials, a majority of the respondents wanted universities to play a major role in promoting the eco-friendly materials. Factors related to plastic pollution were of high concern as was the brand sustainability. In conclusion, it can be said that university students have sufficient knowledge and a number of outstanding positive attitudes concerning sustainable packaging; however, the work on reshaping their consumption patterns is emergent. The results provide important implications for universities, governments and companies interested in promoting sustainable consumption habits among youths.