New-style 'doggy bags' could cut Torbay restaurant food waste
A Westcountry council is urging restaurants to do away with "doggy bags" in favour of appropriate containers to help cut down on food waste.
Torbay Council is working with pubs, restaurants and cafes in the new Love It, Don't Leave It campaign.
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David Thomas: 'Torbay will be leading the way with this important initiative'
The council's recycling officer, Carol Arthur, said: "Research suggests that 83 per cent of us would like to take leftovers home when we eat out, but don't think we can or are too embarrassed to ask a waiter or waitress for a suitable container.
"Sometimes people will ask for a 'doggy bag' but the food is really for human consumption and not appropriate for family pets. Unless the food is put in a suitable container, it usually ends up in a waste bin at home."
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Instead, biodegradable waxed cardboard food containers will be distributed, alongside promotional material.
The first 100 businesses that sign up will get all the containers and marketing materials free of charge.
Ms Arthur said: "A similar scheme is already running with great success in London, but we will be the first council in this area to launch such an initiative.
"We believe it is good for businesses as it cuts down on the amount of food waste, thereby reducing the businesses' disposal costs.
"It is also good for customers, who can take home to enjoy the food they have paid for but have been unable to finish."
Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Thomas, whose portfolio includes strategic responsibility for waste disposal, said: "Torbay will be leading the way with this important initiative. It fits in well with the national 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign.
"It is important we find new ways of ensuring that good food doesn't go to waste, and I am sure that this initiative, due to be launched in early October, will be well supported by Bay businesses and their customers."
Contact Carol Arthur on 01803 207744 for further details, or by email at carol.arthur@torbay.gov.uk.
Comments
by spindleshanks
Friday, September 14 2012, 5:26PM
“Our local chinese takeaway knows we have a doggy and he gets a little paper bag with some tasty cooked chicken every time we order our food from the establishment. Think he may have a view on whether the food is appropriate for family pets or not. He sure as hell thinks our food is always appropriate for the family pet!”