# Smart Takeaway Designers get creative with innovative takeout food packaging. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published May 28, 2012, updated Dec 5, 2013 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smart-takeaway ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.0/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Smart Takeaway trend? **Smart Takeaway:** The typical takeout container -- a cardboard carton or aluminum tray -- doesn't offer much in the way of imagination or creativity. Most often, the container doesn't even showcase the company's name or logo. However, more and more food brands are now embracing innovative packaging designs for their takeout containers in an effort to maintain a strong presence in consumers' minds, even after the food has been consumed. Ranging from food-cradling contraptions to slick, eco-friendly packaging, these innovative designs are a great way to set brands apart from one another. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 9, 2011 to May 23, 2012 - Published: May 28, 2012 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Smart Takeaway trend ### Eco-Friendly Packaging The growing trend towards eco-friendly packaging presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to design sustainable packaging that balances convenience with waste reduction. ### Innovative Design Food brands are embracing innovative packaging designs to maintain a distinct brand personality that sets them apart from their competitors. ### Mess-Free Takeaway Packaging Designers are creating mess-free takeaway packaging such as compartmentalised containers and food-cradling packages that ensure food remains fresh and water-tight during transit, presenting an opportunity for businesses to offer convenient and practical solutions for consumers. ## What the Smart Takeaway trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage From fast food chains to gourmet restaurants, the food and beverage industry can benefit from incorporating innovative takeaway packaging designs that improve customers' takeaway experience and help minimize environmental impact. ### For Packaging As eco-friendly packaging becomes increasingly important to consumers, packaging companies can take advantage of the trend towards sustainability and design environmentally-friendly packaging solutions that are both practical and ethical. ### For Consumer Goods Innovative designs for takeaway packaging offer an opportunity for consumer goods companies to build brand identities that resonate with their customers and stand out in a crowded market place. ## Trend signals for Smart Takeaway Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 76%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 76% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Smart Takeaway trend 5 featured examples from Oct 9, 2011 to May 23, 2012. - [Tied Eco Takeaway](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/take-out-packaging-by-joann-arello): Take-Out Packaging by JoAnn Arello Contains All Food, Condiments and Cutlery (Category: Eco) Implication: Restaurants and food delivery services can benefit from adopting eco-friendly packaging solutions that improve the customer experience. - [Tearable Seafood Wrapping](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bagbox-packaging): The BagBox Packaging Concept is Adaptable for On-the-Go Eating (Category: Eco) Implication: The BagBox Packaging Concept's adaptable and eco-friendly design presents an opportunity for disruption in the food service industry's traditional takeout and delivery packaging. - [Food-Cradling Takeout Packages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandra-ferreyro): Sandra Ferreyro Designs a Mess-Free Takeaway Bag (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Finding opportunities to enhance the takeaway experience through improved packaging solutions. - [Sleek Sushi Carries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gerlinde-gruber): Gerlinde Gruber Creates an Eco-Friendly Sushi Takeaway Box (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food packaging industry can take advantage of the disruptive innovation opportunities presented by eco-friendly and modular packaging designs like Fune. - [Three-Legged Dessert Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slurrp-ice-cream-branding): Slurrp! Ice Cream Branding Entices the Inner Child (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities for developing unique dessert packaging and brand concepts. ## Recent trend clusters - [Circular Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/circular-simplicity) (Eco) - [Fixable Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fixable-devices) (Tech) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Backpack-Sized Folding Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blizwheel-f05) - [Aftermarket Cyclist Motor Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asus-oxiis-e250g1) - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Sustainability-Focused Brand Progress Reports](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-summary) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)