A hugely successful pilot scheme to offer diners doggy bags is set to be extended across Scotland, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced.
The 16 restaurants participating in Zero Waste Scotland’s Good to Go trial saw dramatic reductions in food waste from customers’ plates – an average of 42 per cent per restaurant. And 92 per cent of diners surveyed who took food home ate it.
If restaurants across Scotland routinely offered doggy bags to customers, it could save the equivalent of 800,000 full meals going in the bin every year. Eateries across the country are now being urged to sign up for Good to Go.
On welcoming this news Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said::
“Scotland produces some of the best food and drink to be found anywhere in the world, and it is a crying shame that one in six meals served in restaurants is currently being thrown away, a waste of food and a waste of money.
“I know of the many fine eating establishments in the Falkirk area who would be happy to offer their customers the choice that this scheme brings
“Doggy bags are a great way to prevent waste and give diners better value for money, and I am absolutely delighted that ‘Good to Go’ is now being rolled out across the country after the success of the pilot scheme.
“ As we work towards achieving our zero waste ambitions and Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation, I encourage as many catering and food businesses in the Falkirk areas possible to sign up.”
