China's youth find new uses for takeout bags

Photo shows storage pouches made from recycled takeout bags. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

What else can a takeout bag be used for besides carrying food? For a growing number of young people in China, quite a lot.

Instead of being discarded after a meal, many takeout bags are being carefully folded, stored in drawers, displayed on walls, or transformed into practical household items. Some are turned into journals, storage pouches, small bags for commuting, coasters or even picnic mats.

The trend reflects the growing appeal of well-designed takeout packaging, which now comes in a wide range of styles, from minimalist and China-chic designs to products featuring collaborations with popular animation, gaming and cultural franchises. Some creative designs have even drawn praise from foreign visitors.

For 22-year-old graduate student Song Kaili, collecting takeout bags has become a hobby. On a bookshelf in her dormitory, more than a dozen paper bags are neatly arranged, featuring cartoon illustrations and silhouettes of her favorite singers.

"Some coffee and tea beverage brands release two or three new collaborative designs every week, and I keep them all," Song said. "They brighten up my room and make everyday life feel more colorful."

Photo shows a handbag made from recycled takeout bags. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Others are attracted by their practicality. Xiang Li, who enjoys handicrafts and upcycling household items, has collected dozens of takeout bags with distinctive designs. She particularly favors non-woven bags equipped with resealable closures.

"These bags can be reused for carrying lunches for two or three months," she said. Some insulated delivery bags have also been repurposed into small bags for commuting, earphone cases, coasters and seat cushions.

Similar examples can be found across Chinese social media platforms, where users regularly share creative ways to reuse takeout bags. Sturdy paper bags are converted into storage boxes, decorative bags become wall organizers, and insulated bags are reassembled into outdoor picnic mats or insulated handlebar covers for electric bicycles.

The trend has emerged alongside the rapid growth of China's food delivery market. With daily takeout orders now exceeding 100 million nationwide, packaging has become an important part of the consumer experience.

Beyond meeting basic requirements such as heat retention, leak prevention and product protection, packaging increasingly serves as a branding tool. Thanks to China's mature packaging supply chain and advances in digital printing, customized packaging has become more affordable and accessible, even for small businesses.

In sectors such as tea and coffee beverages, where competition has intensified, takeout bags have become one of the most visible ways for brands to differentiate themselves. By the time an order reaches consumers, the packaging often serves as a brand's final interaction with them, and one of the most likely elements to be photographed and shared online.

Photo shows an earphone case made from recycled takeout bags. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

The phenomenon reflects broader changes in both marketing and consumer behavior.

Wang Fei, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, said takeout packaging has evolved from a simple advertising medium into something woven into consumers' daily lives, emotional experiences and social identity.

Rather than merely attracting attention, brands are increasingly seeking to be present in consumers' everyday lives, Wang said.

Photo shows a decorative ornament made from recycled takeout bags. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

At the same time, younger consumers are placing greater value on emotional satisfaction and self-expression. Collecting and reusing packaging is not simply about appreciating attractive designs, but also about creating personal connections and expressing individual lifestyles.

As environmental awareness continues to grow, many brands are also promoting reusable packaging. While the food remains the main attraction, a takeout bag that is collected, repurposed and shared can carry far more than a single meal.