# Eco-Serving Products used to serve food are adapted with eco-friendly materials. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Mar 3, 2020 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ecoserving ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.6/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Eco-Serving trend? **Eco-Serving:** Trays and containers that are typically intended for foodservice are increasingly made with environmentally friendly materials that avoid single-use plastics and can be recycled–promoting waste-free consumption in the food industry. ## The consumer insight behind the Eco-Serving trend Consumers are more aware of climate change's impacts and their role in contributing to it, and so they're seeking out ways to mitigate this. These individuals are drawn to brands that facilitate the process of things like waste-reduction by holding themselves accountable to ethical and sustainable production practices. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 10, 2019 to Sep 10, 2020 - Published: Mar 3, 2020 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Eco-Serving trend ### Eco-friendly packaging trend More and more brands are choosing to replace single-use, plastic-based packaging options with sustainable alternatives, motivated by the growing consumer interest in environmental responsibility and waste reduction. ### Reusable item trend Consumer demand for sustainable and reusable items is driving businesses to create innovative reusable packaging, utensils, and other items that can reduce single-use waste and provide customers with more eco-conscious alternatives. ### Zero-waste trend The zero-waste trend encourages consumers to buy products without any plastic or single-use packaging, leading to the growth of zero-waste stores, sustainable brands, and initiatives that offer packaging alternatives that can simultaneously be recycled or reused. ## What the Eco-Serving trend means for industry ### For Food service The food service industry is experiencing significant growth in eco-friendly packaging and reusable item movements, as brands and chains aim to meet sustainability goals and consumer preferences for reduced waste. ### For Packaging and printing The packaging and printing industries are experiencing significant changes due to consumer preferences for eco-friendly, sustainable, and reusable packaging options that can help reduce waste and meet sustainability goals. ### For Retail Retailers are leveraging the trend towards zero-waste, offering products with reduced packaging or gone without plastic packaging altogether, while some even offer package-free shopping in bulk sections. ## Workshop question How is your brand holding itself accountable when it comes to its impact on environmental harm? ## Trend signals for Eco-Serving Trend score 6.6 out of 10, from popularity 95%, activity 94%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 95% - Activity: 94% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Eco-Serving trend 6 featured examples from Sep 10, 2019 to Sep 10, 2020. - [Reusable Fast Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-food-packaging1): PriestmanGoode Utilizes Cocoa Bean Shells in New Innovative Project (Category: Eco) Implication: The food packaging industry has the opportunity to innovate by developing reusable and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic. - [Plastic-Free Fast Food Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-mcdonalds): 'Better McDonald's' is Introducing Wooden Spoons & Edible Cups (Category: Eco) Implication: Fast food chains have the chance to embrace eco-friendly packaging and cutlery options to reduce plastic waste and improve sustainability. - [Eco-Friendly Food Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-tray-packaging): PaperSeal Trays Help to Increase Food Packaging Recyclability (Category: Eco) Implication: Revolutionizing food packaging to reduce waste and improve recyclability through eco-friendly designs - [Eco-Friendly Poutine Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-york-frie): New York Fries Has Launched New Eco-Conscious Packaging (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for fast food chains to invest in and promote the use of eco-friendly packaging solutions across all their product ranges. - [Returnable Fast Food Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-food-coffee-cup): McDonald's is Testing Fast Food Coffee Cups That Can Be Dropped Off (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing reusable and returnable packaging solutions in the fast food industry can lead to reduced waste and increased customer satisfaction. - [Zero-Waste Takeout Containers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/takeout-container): ARK Reusables Prevent Disposable Dishes from Ending Up in the Trash (Category: Eco) Implication: Restaurants and food delivery services can benefit from offering eco-friendly takeout containers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Intelligent Private Grids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara-core-powers) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)