Assessment of Consumer Knowledge, Buying Behaviour and Preferences Towards Agro-waste Packaging in Online Food Deliveries

This study examines the preferences, buying habits, and knowledge of consumers regarding agro-waste packaging in online food delivery. As sustainability gains importance, packaging made from agro-waste offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials. A survey was conducted among 120 students, 60 boys and 60 girls, from Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) and Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) in Udaipur city, Rajasthan. A structured questionnaire and non-purposive convenience sampling were used to collect the data. According to the results, 65 per cent of boys and 75 per cent of girls were aware of agro-waste packaging. Most participants acknowledged its benefits, citing biodegradability, reduced pollution, and positive environmental impacts. Over 85 per cent of respondents agreed that agro-waste packaging encourages sustainable farming methods. The majority expressed willingness to buy food products with such packaging, appreciating its role in maintaining food quality and preservation of food; however, cost concerns were noted by several respondents. Preference varied slightly by gender with the Chi-square test (χ² = 17.07, p = 0.00188) indicating a significant association between gender and preferences. Girls showed a marginally higher inclination. The survey shows that young people generally have a positive attitude and are more knowledgeable about sustainable packaging, which is important for encouraging environmentally conscious consumer behaviour in the digital food delivery system.