Diners increasingly leave leftovers at restaurants, especially urban

In big cities, restaurant owners are noticing a change in how diners handle their leftovers. Many customers are leaving half-eaten meals on their tables and not asking for boxes to take home. Emmett Burke runs two pizzerias in Manhattan and has seen many pizzas going to waste. He wonders why diners aren't interested in taking leftover food home. “I look at the plates and see all the food we are throwing out,” he said. He thinks many people would prefer to have some pizza in their fridge. Others in the restaurant industry share similar observations. They believe factors like social stigma, easy access to takeout, and the return to sharing meals after the pandemic are affecting diners’ choices. According to a 2023 report, the average American wastes about 53 pounds of food from restaurants each year, worth around $329. Dana Gunders, who leads an organization focused on reducing food waste, noted some people are simply against taking leftovers home. She mentioned a growing sentiment among diners who claim, “I don’t eat leftovers,” as a principle. The group plans to study this shift in attitudes toward leftovers more closely.