Check this out!

Another story worth reading. I can't begin to imagine the revolt that would take place if this practice were to be implemented in Louisville.

In Hong Kong, diners fined for leaving leftovers
By Peter Ford
Published April 18, 2007

Deep in the belly of one of Hong Kong's largest malls, a mechanical stomach is digesting a social ill that is now catching the attention of this city's restaurateurs and environmentalists: too many leftovers.

Elsewhere in the territory, restaurant owners are starting to sound like your mother. They are putting little signs on tables that threaten to fine diners who leave food on their plates.

US and European cities have wrestled with excess food waste for more than a decade, but Hong Kong's prosperity and shrinking landfill space are only now pushing it to adopt a new consumption ethic. Neither the 'GoMixer' beneath the Festival Walk Mall, nor the prospect of punishment, has had much impact yet. But they are signs of things to come.

In the past five years the amount of food wasted by Hong Kong's restaurants, hotels, and food manufacturers has more than doubled, according to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Food accounts for about one third of the 9,300 tons of waste deposited at landfills every day, says P.H. Lui, the EPD's chief environmental protection officer. By comparison, 12 percent of the US waste stream was food scraps in 2005, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. "This is a problem that we have to overcome," says Mr. Lui, who attributes the rapid rise in waste to the greater prosperity Hong Kongers have been enjoying recently. Landfills are filling up, and even if they had unlimited capacity, rotting food in a landfill gives off methane, one of the most notorious of greenhouse gases.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0418/p01s02-woap.htm

On the surface, it's obvious that people in the US waste way to much food and although laws would never be accepted I would like to see a movement to cut down on so much wasted food.

I was at a buffet last week and the people I was eating with were just piling their plates up four inches high, they were females and it was obvious to me that they were not going to eat all the food. I knew them well and made joking comments that they could make a return trip. It was ridiculous. I like to take only what I know I am going to eat. If I want some more I'll go back.

Does Hong Kong not have or permit "doggie bags"? Or is it not in their culture to take the leftovers home for tomorrow's lunch?

I have always heard this has been going on for years in China, but only at buffets. I think they would weigh what was left and charge you a small amount per pound, other than buffets I really don't see how a restaurant would enforce this, I mean if I spend $25 on and entree that I could not finish, and I was charged an additional $5 for what was left, I doubt I would pay the extra charge, or even have a return visit.

Its a good topic for pointing fingers. If it is buffet eating you could point at the customer, if not, then perhaps portions from the restaurant are ridiculous, then again, box it up and take it. All kinds of jazz to this one.

Does Hong Kong not have or permit "doggie bags"? Or is it not in their culture to take the leftovers home for tomorrow's lunch?

I know that the concept of leftovers would be contrary to the "wok hay" that is prized in most Chinese cuisine. This is the description of the food as it is only when it comes hot from the wok.