RT Journal Article T1 Can active and intelligent packaging support sustainability in food sector? Insights from a consumer's viewpoint A1 López Miguens, María Jesús A1 Álvarez González, Paula A1 Dopico Parada, Ana K1 Active and intelligent packaging K1 Purchase intention K1 Consumer K1 Sustainability K1 Environmental impact K1 Social impact K1 Food waste AB Recent advances in the food packaging industry that improves product preservation and support sustainability make it increasingly important to understand how consumers perceive these changes. Building on Cue Utilization theory, the purpose of this study is to evaluate how consumers infer their perception of packaging sustainability in their purchase intention of Active and Intelligent packaging. On a sample of 1489 European consumers, the results of a quantitative methodology based on partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) show that the intention to purchase is positively related to the direct environmental impact (manufacture, materials, durability, and end-of-life management) and the indirect impact (food waste reduction) and the social sustainability of packaging. However, no significant relationship was found regarding packaging’s economic function. Packaging attributes are an essential part of decision making. Industrial and waste managers can use our results to align packaging innovations with sustainability and waste management policies to facilitate their purchase intention. It is crucial to emphasize the environmental and social benefits while ensuring that perceived value outweighs any potential cost concerns. PB Elsevier SN 1879-2456 YR 2025 FD 2025 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42878 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42878 LA eng NO López-Miguens, M. J., Álvarez-González, P., & Dopico-Parada, A. (2025). Can active and intelligent packaging support sustainability in food sector? Insights from a consumer’s viewpoint. Waste Management, 205, 115018.https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WASMAN.2025.115018 NO Universidade de Vigo supported financially the publication of this article. DS Minerva RD 23 abr 2026