Should Restaurants Charge People for Waste?
I take pride in my ability to clean a plate. Sometimes, however, a restaurant creates a leaning tower of vittles that is overwhelming. I find myself uncomfortably full finishing up some meals out on the town. If I don’t finish the food on my plate, should I be charged a fee?

-Molly Riley, Reuters
I’m not a fan of more laws, either. I wonder what will come first–greater consciousness, leading to people changing their behavior in the realms of food and material consumption, or laws that regulate waste more closely? The way we live (collectively), this would be a DRASTIC shift.
I haven’t seen that magazine. Thanks for the heads-up! Great to find a fellow creative big-idea thinker! 🙂
That’d be great! Have you read Good magazine before? Several of my posts have surfaced due to their innovative and challenging topics.
I am thinking about reblogging this one of these days. I love the conversation it could provoke!
I think restaurants can start selling reusable tupperware like grocery stores sell reusable bags. They can probably make a little money on the side while bringing attention to the issue of food waste.
How thought-provoking. I don’t like more laws, but there’s some appeal when they force people to do the right thing.
I like your ideas here! And I could see a takeout restaurant that let’s people bring their own dshes, etc using that as a marketing strategy, now that people are becoming more aware of the waste. Thanks for making me think!
Issac, sounds like you are one step ahead of me. I have an amazing ability to lose sunglasses and tupperware, but I did own some collapsible bowls about a year back. That’s a good sign that you haven’t been questioned during your responsible waste collection…I’ve never seen anybody with their own containers. You might have me converted!
My wife and I generally try to remember taking tupperware to pack up our leftovers when we are eating out. Most servers don’t mind at all (probably not good for buffets though), and some even think it’s a great idea as it saves them from having to do extra work. Collapsible tupperware are pretty convenient to have around, check em out!