Local authorities are being encouraged to provide free doggy bags to restaurants in a bid to cut food waste.
The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is urging local authorities to follow the lead of Oxfordshire County Council, which is rolling out free take home boxes in 100 restaurants across the county.
Research by SRA found that the average restaurant throws out 21 tonnes of food a year, with a third of all waste swept directly from diners’ plates into the bin.
Mark Linehan, managing director of the SRA, said: ‘These simple, recycled, compostable boxes, provide the perfect means to deliver a simple message, transport a tasty meal, and help restaurants to throw away less food.
‘Diners tell us that food waste is the sustainability issue that matters most when they’re eating out, so this is a brilliant way to show their customers they’re addressing it.’
Eco friendly packaging company Biopac distributed 25,000 boxes across Oxfordshire as part of the food waste campaign.
