Ota Ward Tests Restaurant Leftover Take-Home at 4 Eateries in Nov-Dec
Watami is joining Tokyo's Ota Ward FY2026 'mottECO' verification project, testing take-home of leftovers at four restaurants in the ward in November and December. The ward will use the findings to decide how to proceed.
Key points
- The trial runs November-December 2026 and ends at each store once its supplied take-home containers run out
- Customers take food home at their own responsibility, and each store decides which dishes qualify based on type and condition
- The project was selected under the Ministry of the Environment's FY2026 mottECO introduction support program
Background
mottECO is an initiative in which diners take uneaten food home at their own risk, aimed at cutting food waste. Ota Ward says it will consider its future approach based on what this trial shows.
Watami will record the number of take-home cases, the types of dishes and operational issues, and cooperate with the ward's evaluation.
What it means for shops
Restaurants that accept take-home need to handle containers, decide which menu items qualify and explain precautions to customers. The results may help other municipalities and shops considering the practice.
What shops should do
- Check with your local government whether it promotes food-waste reduction or mottECO-style take-home
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Summaries are written by Seiichi Studio based on the original releases. Always check the source for the exact details.