A scheme to help people make the most of leftovers when they eat out has been launched to help residents "Waste less and Save more".

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has launched the Snapbox project along South Derbyshire District Council in the hope of creating a ‘feel-good’ factor around asking for leftovers.

The inspiration for the scheme came from ‘snap’ lunch tins which were used by South Derbyshire miners and will see residents provided with free ‘designer’ take home boxes made by Multi Packaging Solutions Limited, which include food safety advice, courtesy of the council's environmental health team.

Lots of people already ask for their leftovers when they eat out, but research shows that while other people want to be offered ‘doggy bags,’ around 40 per cent don’t feel comfortable asking for them.

Peter Watson, chairman of the council's environmental and development services committee, spoke ahead of the launch, yesterday, Monday, August 14.

The snapboxes will hold leftovers

He said: "We have listened to what people asked for to help them save food and save money and developed this new project, linking back to our own local name for lunch: Snap."

"Swadlincote people will be the first in the country to get these SnapBoxes and try them out."

Paul Crewe, head of sustainability, engineering and energy for Sainsbury’s, said: "We know from the work we have been doing in Swadlincote as part of our Waste less, Save more campaign that changing attitudes and behaviours can take time which is why it is important to make it easy for people, both inside and outside the home, to waste less food.

"Asking for doggy bags can be a barrier for some people, so this initiative is a great way of getting people to think differently about food waste outside of the home."

Free, flat-pack SnapBoxes to stash in your bag ready to take leftover food home can be collected from the reception desk at the council offices and at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, which are both in Swadlincote.

The boxes were inspired by snap tins used by South Derbyshire miners

SnapBox posters will be displayed in participating restaurants but you can ask for your leftovers anywhere, with most places able to supply you with a box, bag or foil if you can’t collect SnapBoxes.

SnapBox designer Jerry Corcoran, studio and account director at Multi Packaging Solutions, said: "We wholeheartedly support the aim of SnapBox and we are pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile project. It offers a simple and practical solution to the issue of food waste. The pack is easy to store and offers the opportunity to change consumer attitudes and practises. If requesting leftover food becomes part of dining out, it will have immediate environmental benefits."

The snapboxes are free and available from a variety of venues in South Derbyshire

Participating SnapBox businesses include:

The Bulls Head in Hartshorne

Café Espresso, Swadlincote

Café Espresso at Sharpes, Swadlincote

Hub café, Rosliston

Moza HQ, Swadlincote

Repton Tea Rooms, Repton

Sainsbury’s Swadlincote café

Swadlincote ski centre, Swadlincote

The Board Walk, Willington

The Bulls Head, Repton

The Greyhound, Woodville

The Joiners Arms, Quarndon

The Mill Wheel, Hartshorne

The Swan, Walton