# Chocolate-Like Tea Packaging The Starbucks Tea Boxes by Marie Valencia is Cost-Effective and Eco By Meghan Young | Published 2016-02-09 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-tea-boxes References: [packagingoftheworld](http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2016/02/starbucks-tea-boxes-student-project.html) This cafe might be known more for its coffee, but if these [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-premium-mixes-matcha-latte-with-reusable-cup) Tea Boxes ever saw the light of day, they could very well change that fact. At first glance, they look like [luxury chocolate bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hojicha-chocolate), but upon closer inspection the decadent boxes are simply designed that way to give them a sense of high quality. Conceived by Marie Valencia for a student project at the Daedalus school based in Auckland, New Zealand, the Starbucks Tea Boxes addresses a few stipulations. It was made to be more cost-effective and [environmentally conscious](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tetra-prisma-aseptic-300-edge), not just visually appealing. Valencia shares, "To answer this, I used corrugated cardboard to replace metal, plastic and other material excesses. This employs creative folding, scoring and etching techniques to showcase the final design solution. Sealing wax and organic cotton threads further support an environmental conscious outcome." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Cost-effective Packaging:** Creating packaging solutions that are both visually appealing and cost-effective by using alternative materials and production techniques. - **Environmentally Conscious Packaging:** Developing packaging designs that reduce the use of plastic and other excess materials, employing eco-friendly alternatives like corrugated cardboard and organic cotton threads. - **Creative Folding and Etching Techniques:** Utilizing innovative folding, scoring, and etching techniques to showcase unique and high-quality packaging designs. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage Packaging:** Exploring opportunities in the food and beverage industry to create cost-effective and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. - **Luxury Packaging:** Applying creative folding and etching techniques to elevate the visual appeal and perceived value of luxury packaging in various industries. - **Sustainable Design:** Incorporating eco-friendly materials and production methods in packaging design to meet the increasing demand for sustainable solutions across different industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cigarette-Style Tea Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/und.md) - [Playful Tea Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onetotea.md) - [Tourist-Targeted Tea Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-premium-mixes-matcha-latte-with-reusable-cup.md) - [Recyclable Coffee Packagings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tanuii-coffee.md) - [Vibrantly Re-Designed Tea Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chay-tea.md) - [Plant-Inspired Coffee Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lor-coffee-packaging.md) - [Striking E-Commerce Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maksim-arbuzov.md) - [Paper-Made Chocolate Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nestl-quality-street.md) - [Fiber-Based Recyclable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mother-parkers.md)