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Leftover food is the food people leave on their plates. Leftovers account for one third of all waste from cafés, restaurants and other food businesses in Belfast. We have introduced the Cater for Later food box scheme to encourage diners to ask for their leftovers.
Our Cater for Later food box scheme provides compostable boxes to restaurants and cafés for their customers to take away their leftovers. By bringing the food home to eat later, you’re helping the environment by sending less food waste to landfill. You're also making your money go futher by getting the full value of your meal.
By taking part in the scheme, you can
Your business serves safe food to customers that is hygienically prepared. By law, restaurants and cafés in Northern Ireland can give customers their leftovers when asked. But food businesses are not obliged to. If food has already been reheated or will pass the use by date within 24 hours, you must not allow this food to be taken away as leftovers.
If a customer asks to take home their leftovers in a Cater for Later box from your restaurant or café, you must advise them on how to handle, store and reheat the food safely. When the customer takes home the leftovers, they are responsible for how the food is handled, stored, and reheated safely.
If you bring home your leftovers in a Cater for Later box, you are responsible for the food’s safety. This means safely and correctly handling, storing and reheating the leftovers. You should:
If you are serving the food cold, serve direct from the fridge.
If you want your business to take part in the scheme, go to:
Our boxes are made from food grade cardboard and are suitable for composting. After using, you should put the box in your food and garden waste bin.
Get help from our Safety and Environment Advice Service. The Safety and Environmental Advice Service can give businesses free, impartial advice to help meet legislative health and safety requirements. They can also advise on conducting risk assessments and developing workplace health plans.
To contact us, email advicecentre@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9032 8260.
We are asking businesses to help us keep Belfast streets clean. By signing the Belfast Business Litter Pledge, you’ll show your customers, staff and colleagues that you care about keeping Belfast an attractive place to live, work and visit.
We will give you a free litter kit with:
To sign the pledge online, go to:
You can also email Environmentaloutreach@belfastcity.gov.uk.