Quick service restaurants have so much potential for introducing eco fast food packaging, yet so few of take up the opportunity. Perhaps it's the time and money wrapped up in considering rebranding and redesigning that turns so many companies off. Whatever the reason may be, this collection of ideas will demonstrate how to make an easy switch with a field of practical and economic options.
Brown kraft paper has been picked up by many cafes as a way to serve snacks in recyclable material. Card and cardboard offer the same possibilities, but there are more imaginative alternatives too. Cellulose containers that resemble clear plastic will decompose naturally after use. A personal favorite is the use of plantable seed paper that invites you to literally bury your trash to grow new greenry. Whether you're serving soups, salads, sandwiches or drinks, these sustainable and generally eco-friendly packages hit the spot for responsible consumption.
26 Examples of Eco To-Go Packaging
26
Plantable Food Packages
This Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Can be Used to Grow Herbs
25
Accordion Sandwich Containers
Eat & Go Packaging Can Be Conveniently Compressed with Every Bite
24
Uncrumpling Eco Containers
Sustainable Expanding Bowl Grows and Opens When Water's Poured Into It
23
Handy Two-Part Packaging
W-Bags Split into a Pair of Compartments to Store Snack Scraps
22
Coordinated Salad Bowls
Bright Bites' Salad Bowls Match the Vibrancy of the Ingredients Inside
21
Tearable Takeout Sacks
The Simplistic Box Bag Design Rips in Half for Easy Food-Carrying
20
Plaited Gazette Packaging
Re News Encourages You to Reuse Yesterday's Journals for Useful Purposes
19
Plaited Paper Packaging
Bellis Preserves Branding Communicates a Carefully Crafted Mission
18
Towering Treat Cartons
Ovvio Cupcakes Packaging is Structurally Inspired by Honeycomb Forms
17
Brown Bag Coffee Designs
This Environmentally Friendly Coffee Cup Packaging is Recyclable
16
Purse-Like Takeout Bags
Gustav Karlsson Reimagines the Take Out Box to Be Chic and Eco-Friendly
15
Tearable Seafood Wrapping
The BagBox Packaging Concept is Adaptable for On-the-Go Eating
14
Cardboard Beer Branding
The Mug Pub by Ivan Maximov is for Eco-Friendly Boozers
13
Clutchable Coffee Cup Sleeves
The Quarter Bag Cup Carrier Serves Convenience and Eco-Friendliness
12
Plantable Gourmet Packaging
Live Food Bar Packaging by Amelia Roblin Grows Garden Herbs
11
Crosswise Coffee Branding
Starbucks Special Edition Packaging Seeks a Different Approach
10
Eco-Origami Coffee Cups
Coffree Biodegradable Brew Eliminates a Cup of Waste a Day
9
Convenient Coffee Clutches
The Carry On Concept is an Efficient One-Handed Way to Tote Four Drinks
8
Space-Saving Food Packaging
The Campactible Accordion Package for Instant Noodles
7
Coffee Cup Gardens
The Takeout Coffee Cup Garden Turns Wasteful Cups into Useful Green Spaces
6
Eco-Happy Wrapping
The Khristian Mendoza 'Environmental Kit' Packaging is Pure as Earth
5
Birdhouse Bread Packaging
This Bread Packaging Design Doubles as a Bird Feeder
4
Conscientious Plastic Food Trays
Firstcarbon ghgTrack software to Track Supply Chain Emissions
3
Accordion Takeout Containers
The Pack Away Lunchbox Compresses as You Gradually Pick Away Inside
2
Plant-Based Plastic Containers
NatureWorks' Sustainable Food Containers Use Ingeo Plastic
1
Eco-Friendly Poultry Packaging
The KFC Reusable Side Container Won the 2010 Greener Package Awards
Related Ideas
Collapsible Pocket Coffee Cups
The 'REUSABLE' Foldable Silicone Cup by Kalina Gotseva is Eco-Chic
Cooling Mushroom Packaging
Mushroom Packaging Creates Customizable and Compostable Solutions
Seaweed-Based Shoe Packaging
Ales Grey & Sway Partnered on Sustainable Footwear Packaging
Sustainable Speaker Packaging
Sonos' Packaging Shares a Premium, User-Friendly Experience
Eco-Conscious Beauty Packaging
Albéa Group Boasts Three Flagship Packaging Products
Compostable Coffee Pod Packaging
These Cambio Roasters Organic Coffee Pods are Sustainable
Paper-Based Tray Packaging
Verday Vegan Meats are Packed in Shallow Food Trays Made for Recycling
Recyclable Chilled Grocery Bags
The 'Fresh!Bag' Recyclable Cool Bag is Ready to be Branded
Biodegradable Mailing Satchels
Better Packaging's comPOST Packs are Biodegradable After 2 Months
Aseptic Eco Beverage Packaging
The Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf Carton is Paper-Based
Sustainable QSR Tablewares
This Reusable Tableware from the Elium Studio is for McDonald's France
Sustainable PET Dairy Packaging
Coop and Emmi Launch the New Sustainable Dairy Packaging
Recyclable Coffee Packagings
'Tanuii Coffee' Redesigned its Packaging with Paper-Based Pouches
Sustainable Seaweed Resin Packaging
TPSea from Sway is Suited for Replacing Flexible Plastics
Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging
Dow and P&G China Launch Reduced Weight and Impact Packaging
Smashable Biodegradable Cups
GaeaStar Develops a New Cup From Only Three Ingredients
Reusable Grocery Delivery Packaging
Milk & More and Again Partnered for Reusable Packaging Options
Edible Snack Skins
Foodberry Creates Edible, Plant-Based Coatings Inspired by Fruit Skins & Peels
Biodegradable Beauty Packaging
MOB Beauty's Earth-First Packaging Turns into Dirt
Paper-Based Potato Chip Packaging
Pringles Packaging Now Has a Paper Base Instead of a Metal One
Non-Coated Sugarcane Packaging
'SupraPulp' from W-Cycle is Biodegradable Packaging from Sugarcane
Sustainably Packaged Yogurt Cups
Yoplait Launches the Sustainable Pure-Pak eSense Cartons
Plastic-Free Spread Packaging
This Flora Packaging is Made with Compressed Wet Paper Fibers
Repurposed Pasta Boxes
Barilla & Marie Kondo are Sharing How to Reuse Packaging
Fiber-Based Food Packaging
Hinojosa Unveils the New 'Foodservice' Packaging in Three Formats
Eco-Friendly Consumable Packaging
This Biodegradable Composite Packaging is Transparent and Edible
Sustainable Restaurant Meal Kits
Moveable Feast is an Eco Fine Dining Meal Kit Delivery Service
Aluminum Coffee Packages
Zeitgeist Coffee Factory Uses Durable Aluminum Packaging with a Valve
Bio-Based Beauty Packaging
Texen Group and Sulapac are Revolutionizing Beauty Packaging
Cardboard Cosmetics Refill Pouches
Freshly Refills Reduce Cosmetics Industry Waste
Eco-Friendly Spirit Packaging
Diageo and EcoSpirits Partnered on New Circular Packaging
Recyclable Paper-Made Coffee Packaging
JDE Peet's is Rolling Out Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Paper-Made Porridge Packaging
Quaker Porridge Pots are Now Made with Paper for Easy Recycling
Paper-Based Recyclable Packaging
Parkside's Newest Packaging is Durable with a Sealed Barrier
Bio-Based Beauty Packaging
Holmen Iggesund and Yangi Partner for Bio-Based Packaging Solutions
Paper-Packaged Haircare Products
Babo Botanicals Has Launched Haircare Products in Cartons
Compostable Sugarcane Containers
Eco-Products' WorldView Containers are Foodsafe and Microwavable
Upcycled Circular Design Products
Cyrc Designs Expansive Products with Sustainable Themes
Plastic Snack Packaging Reductions
KP Snacks Flow Wrapping Process Has Been Updated
Aluminum-Packaged Kombuchas
Mortal Kombucha Has Introduced Eco-Friendly Aluminum Bottles
Recyclable Plastic Food Packaging
Rooted Fare Announced a Transition to New BPA-Free Plastic Jars
Biodegradable Banana Bark Bags
FOReT Creates Sustainable, Plant-Based Fully Biodegradable Bags
Bio-Based Paper Packaging
Covestro's Partially Plant-Based Coating Boosts Recyclability
Recyclable Paper-Made Packaging Solutions
Mondi FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate is Sustainable
Compostable Single-Serve Coffee Packs
Steeped Coffee Leads a Movement Against Non-Recyclable Pods
Compostable Food Packaging Brands
Shanghai Timeco Industrial Uses Sugarcane Bagasse for Packaging
Edible Plant-Based Wrappers
Xampla Makes Edible, Biodegradable Plant Protein Packaging
Sustainable Natural Wine Boxes
Big Naturals Offers a Premium Tasting Experience in Eco Packaging
Sustainable Skincare Packaging Pivots
Aveeno® Canada Introduces a New Look & Better, Eco Packaging
Multifunctional Cardboard QSR Packaging
McDonald's and Leo Burnett Unveil the Tablebag
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
The Eco-Products GreenStripe Line Has New Bags and Wraps
Plant-Based Coffee Pods
Peace Coffee Compostable EcoPods Come in Two Blends
Reusable Packaging Initiatives
PepsiCo Has Announced a New Packaging Goal
Recyclable Hardware Packaging
Nokia is Adopting Lighter Recyclable Packaging for Circularity
Bird Feeder Cereal Packaging
'Co-Grain' Gives New Life to Disposable Packaging
PCR Soil Packaging
Back to the Roots Creates Soil Packaging from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic
Convenient Recyclable Mueslis
Greiner Packaging Debuts Recyclable Pots for Tribe’s Protein Muesli
Sustainable Produce Packaging
These Cascades Eco-Friendly Produce Baskets are Recycled
Bio-Based Cosmetic Packaging
The Sulapac Nordic Collection from APG Europe is Sustainable
Eco-Friendly Paper Packaging
Sourceful Debuts a New Paper Pouch to Compete with Plastic Packaging
Bioplastic Coffee Pods
Danimer Scientific and TotalEnergies Debut Bioplastic Coffee Capsules
Renewable Circular Trash Cans
Mill Offers a New Way of Circular Food with a Shrunken Technology
Traditional Food Preservation Containers
The 'Twist' Food Storage Container Has a Hidden Chamber
Transparent Plant-Based Membranes
YutoEco Unveils the Sustainable Cellulose Substrate Packaging
Plant-Inspired Coffee Packaging
This L’OR Coffee Packaging Comes in Several Styles
Home-Compostable Coffee Carts
Nespresso Launches Compostable Paper Coffee Capsules
Paper-Based Yogurt Cups
Nancy’s Probiotic Foods Sustainably Packages Single-Serve Oatmilk Yogurt
Paper-Packaged Snack Chips
Walkers Baked Multipacks Ditch Plastic in Favor of Paper Alternatives
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
The Better Earth Farmer’s Fiber Collection is Being Expanded
Recyclable Windowed Packaging
Coveris Debuts the New Packaging for Simply Lunch’s Stir Me Up Range
Recyclable Kid-Friendly Meals
Little Dish Launches Its New Range in 85% Wood Fibre Packs
Freezable Snack Boxes
PackIt Offers Its Freezable Snack Boxes in a Variety of Patterns
Sustainable Packaging Brands
Flourish® Utilizes Recycled Content and Safe Forestry Practices
Compostable Packaging Innovation Centers
The Greenhouse Learning Center Will Test Packaging
Sleek PFAS-Free Packaging
Celebration Packaging Unveils PFAS-Free Enviroware Compostable Packaging
Seaweed-Made Packaging Solutions
This Notpla Packaging is 100% Plastic-Free
Sustainable Frozen Treat Packaging
Metsä Board Re-Designed its Ice Cream Packaging
Eco-Friendly Alt Milk Packaging
Califia Farms Packaging Now Features 100% Recycled Plastic
Recycled Snack Chip Packaging
Tyrells is Introducing New Recycled Plastic Packs
Heat-Sealable Paper-Wrap Materials
Orlandi Launches the EcoPro™ Paper-Wrap Sustainable Packaging
Eco-Conscious Deodorant Packaging
Respectueuse Utilizes EnviroStick Packaging to Promote Recycling
Compostable Rice Waste Packaging
TIPA Packaging is Launching a New Solution in the UK
Carbon Neutral Milk Packaging
Neutral Foods Offers a More Sustainable Solution
Potato-Made Compostable Cling Wraps
Great Wrap Offers a New Biodegradable Cling Film
Recyclable Salad Packaging
GPI Taps Picadeli for its Recyclable Paperboard Lids for Salad Bowls
Paper-Made Drink Mix Packaging
This Fairfood Powdered Oat Drink Features the Sonoco GREENCAN®
Sustainable Cereal Packaging
Weetabix Now Features Fully Recyclable Packaging
Pulp Foam Packaging
Stora Enso Launches the Eco-Friendly 'Papira' Pulp Foam Packaging
Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Pact Coffee Debuts a New Recyclable Packaging Design
Green Thermoformed Cardboard Trays
Cascades Launches Innovative Packaging for Fresh Produce
Biodegradable Bubblegum Packages
Milliways Launches a New Biodegradable and Recyclable Box Design
Recyclable Paper Packaging Initiatives
Walmart is Swapping to Recyclable Packaging on All Channels
Plastic-Free Personal Care Products
Community Goods Touts Eco-Friendly Solutions and Packaging
Bark-Based Packaging Technology
Bpacks is a Biodegradable Packaging Startups with a New Solution
Folding Fountain Drink Cups
New York Fries' New Cold Cups are 100% Biodegradable & Compostable
Eco-Friendly Burger Packaging
GreenDustries' PleatPak Packaging Blends Sustainability and Function
Reduced Material Food Packaging
The Stora Enso 'Trayforma BarrPeel' Packaging is Easy to Open
Reusable Contactless Cups
Starbucks' Borrow a Cup Pilot Explores Reusable, Recyclable Packaging
Recyclable Plastic-Free Coffee Cups
M&S Food is Launching Recyclable Coffee Cups
Recycle-Ready Coffee Pouches
Amcor and Löfbergs Launch Monomaterial Recyclable Coffee Packaging
Recyclable Film Packaging
These Amcor Recycle-Ready Thermoforming Films are Launching in Europe
Paper-Made Compostable Cutlery
EcoEdge Paper Cutlery is Made with FSC-Certified Material
Paper-Packaged Popped Snacks
Snack A Jacks Multipacks are Ditching Virgin Plastic Material
Reusable Paper Lunch Bags
Out of the Woods Reinterprets a Nostalgic Lunch Classic
Eco-Friendly QSR Coffee Lids
Tim Hortons Plans to Migrate to Using Sustainable Cutlery in 2023
Eco-Friendly Instant Noodle Packaging
Nissin Cup Noodles is Launching a New Paper Cup Packaging
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
These Sabert Pulp Food Containers are Convenient
PFAS-Free Food Packaging
Genpak Launches a New Packaging Line Without Added PFAS
Tomato Stem-Based Boxes
The ICP Created Corrugated Cardboard out of Tomato Stems
Sustainable Packaging Films
These Parkside Lidding Films Come in Several Options
Certified Compostable Sauce Packets
Kari-Out Unveiled its New Plant-Based Packets for Foodservice
Plant-Based Snack Bar Wrappers
BAR-U-EAT Compostable Bar Wrappers are BPI-Certified
Compostable Cold Beverage Cups
The Plastic-Free Cold Cups from Continental Cup are Eco-Focused
Paper-Based Instant Noodle Cups
The Pot Noodle Paper Pot Design is Headed to Tesco
Kid-Focused Meal Containers
b.box Launches the Kid-Approved Eco-Friendly Bento Boxes for Meals
Fiber-Reduced Eco Packaging
DS Smith Debuts the 'Light Wrap' to Lower Packaging CO2 Emissions
Sustainable Supplement Packaging
This New Touchstone Essentials Packaging is Made with Bio-PPE
Eco-Conscious Juice Boxes
Simple Times Mixers Supports Curbside Recycling with its New Packaging
Recyclable Takeout Packaging Services
Uber Eats Begins the Reusable Packaging Trials in London
Eco Single-Serving Dairy Packaging
Valio PROfeel Quark Products Now Come in Paperboard Cups
Reusable Cafe Packaging
SFU Reduces Waste with Tap to Reuse and Smart Return Bin Tech
Sustainable Crisp Bags
The British Crisp Co. Debuts the First Fully Recyclable Paper Crisp Packet
Bamboo Hot Beverage Cups
Celebration Packaging Debuts its Bamboo Fiber Hot Drink Cups
Paper-Made Mushroom Packaging
Sainsbury's Mushroom Punnets are Now Made with Cardboard
Revised QSR Packaging Policies
YUM Brands Unveils a New Packaging Policy for its Restaurants
Food-Grade rPET Packaging
These Novolex Recyclable Food Containers Have 10% Recycled Plastic
Reduced Plastic Deli Packaging
The Volpi Eco-Pack™ Has 80% Less Plastic Than Alternatives
Eco-Friendly Breakfast Product Packaging
Amcor and Tyson Have Partnered for Sustainable Packaging
Recyclable Food Pouches
TotalEnergies and COLINES Create an Unlaminated Recyclable Stand-Up Pouch
Peelable Snack Pouches
ProAmpac's New Recyclable Snack Pouches are Made with Easy-Peel Technology
Sustainable Growing Containers
The HC Companies Debuts the Revamped Horticultural Containers
Efficiency-Optimized Snack Packaging
This Kellanova Snack Packaging Has Reduced Plastic
Paper Packaging Recycle Stations
Co-cre8 Debuts the New Paper Cup Collection and Recycling Service
Compostable Fruit Snack Packaging
The Park2Natural Packaging is Being Used by New Forest Fruit
Compostable Foodservice Lines
The New Veridian™ Collection Targets Composter Contamination
Dehydrated Plant-Based Meals
Farm to Summit Packages Nourishing Meals in Omnidegradable Bags
Sustainable Butter Packaging
Sirane Introduces the Plastic-Free and Paper-Recyclable 'Butter Wrap'
Organic Material Coffee Capsules
The Alpla Biodegradable Coffee Capsules Have a Neutral Profile
Recyclable Yogurt Packaging Pouches
This Recyclable Yogurt Pouch Has an All-PE Construction
Versatile To-Go Food Wraps
The Novolex Power Prep Wrap is Oil and Grease-Resistant