Over 80 restaurants sign up to SRA’s campaign to cut food waste

More than 80 restaurants have backed the Sustainable Restaurant Association's new campaign to cut food waste in restaurants by promoting doggy boxes.

Restaurants that have already backed the Too Good To Waste campaign include Michelin-starred eateries such as the Quilon, groups like Wahaca, Leon, Feng Sushi and Drake and Morgan as well as independents including the Cinnamon Club and Oxo Tower.

Sriram Aylur, director at the Quilon, said: "The amount of food wasted in London restaurants is a scandal. As restaurateurs it's in all our interests to do something about it. Too Good to Waste is a great idea because it will not only be good for the environment but also makes real business sense."

The campaign, which was launched yesterday, follows research by the SRA, which found that the average London restaurant wastes 21 tonnes of food a year - costing around £20,000 to dispose of - and that nine out of 10 consumers would like restaurants to do more about cutting waste.

The research also revealed that a quarter of consumers would be too embarrassed to ask for a doggy bag or box, while a third wouldn't even think to ask for one - so the campaign is set to bridge the gap.

Thomasina Miers, co-owner of Wahaca, said: "I always ask for a doggy bag. As a chef I like people asking to take food home because it shows respect for where the food has come from. Gone is the day when we can take our food for granted. Wasting food is criminal."

Mark Linehan, managing director of the SRA, added: "Doggy boxes will raise consumer awareness but are only part of the solution. We'll also be helping restaurants think of other ways to cut their waste."

Sign up to the campaign

SRA calls on London restaurants to offer doggy bags

New recycling facility for restaurant and hotel food waste launched >>

400 restaurants in running for SRA Star Ratings >>

Waste minimisation: Tips on how to watch your waste >>

By Emily Manson

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