Design and Production of Eco-Friendly Packaging for Small-Scale Food Vendors in Onitsha, Anambra State

This study examines the design and fabrication of environmentally sustainable packaging solutions tailored for small-scale food vendors operating in the Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State. The proliferation of single-use plastics in informal food trade has generated significant environmental hazards across urban centres in the South East geopolitical zone. Existing packaging options used by vendors are predominantly non-biodegradable, contributing to drainage blockages and soil contamination. This project responds to the dual challenge of affordability and environmental responsibility by developing prototypes using locally sourced materials including dried plantain leaves, recycled paperboard, and cassava-based adhesives. The design methodology adopts a participatory approach, engaging thirty food vendors in iterative feedback sessions to refine form, function, and user-friendliness. Structural integrity, moisture resistance, and visual appeal are evaluated through laboratory and field-use tests. Findings indicate that bio-based prototypes can withstand typical food handling conditions while reducing plastic dependence by an estimated sixty percent per vendor per week. The project further recommends that state environmental agencies incorporate such designs into vendor licensing frameworks. The outcomes contribute to sustainable design practice within Nigeria's informal economy, demonstrating that culturally adapted, low-cost green packaging is both technically feasible and commercially viable for adoption at community scale. Keywords: eco-friendly packaging, sustainable design, informal economy, Onitsha, bio-based materials.