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This dataset was produced as part of the project: Reducing plastic packaging and food waste through product innovation simulation, funded by the NERC (Ref: NE/V010654/1). The wider project was concerned with building a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model that can simulate food and food packaging as it moves through a household, from purchase to disposal. The dataset is qualitative in nature. The motivation for the research was to inform current and future modelling efforts, to enhance project impact. 9 semi-structured, key informant interviews were conducted with a number of packaging industry experts, recruited through Packaging Industry trade shows, LinkedIn contacts, personal networking, and through participation in the project advisory board membership. These interviews were conducted remotely and informed consent was gained for each interview. The data collection contains 8 of these interviews, as one participant withdrew from the research at the anonymisation stage. Interview transcripts are stored as .docx files. Consent forms and information sheets can be viewed as part of the data documentation.THE PROBLEM Plastic packaging waste is a major issue that has recently entered public consciousness, with the British government committing to a 25-year plan that would phase out disposable packaging by 2042. Around 41% of plastic packaging is used for food, with the UK generating 1 million tonnes per year of packaging waste. Food packaging has had a 1844% increase in recycling since 2007, yet still only one third of food packaging is currently recycled [3]. Currently many consumers are boycotting plastic packaging. However, this is leading to a rise in food waste (and foodborne illness risk) due to decreased shelf life. Up to a third of the resources used to produce food could be saved by eliminating food waste [1]. In the UK, approximately 10 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, with the average family (i.e. a household containing children) spending...