'The waste problem is so serious in Hong Kong. We want to raise the public's attention,' said council chairman Angus Ho Hon-Wai. The programme - aimed at fast-food chains - will run for three months from July 15.

On the third day of each month people who order less rice with lunch or dinner will save HK$1.

The council hopes to start another campaign early next month, aimed at restaurants, in which customers who clean up at least 95 per cent of their food will get HK$1.

Of 9,300 tonnes of municipal solid waste produced last year, a third was food and most of it was dumped in landfills.

Mr Ho said food waste-processing machines, to be promoted by the government next year, were not effective enough unless used in a large-scale manner. 'The government should construct more composting infrastructure and open facilities to the public for recycling food waste. This has been done in many countries,' he said.

He criticised restaurants offering extra rice to attract customers and admitted it was difficult to persuade companies to join the campaign.

'We try to persuade them that environmental protection is the trend and they should be concerned about the long-term benefit,' he said.

'Customers think it's better value to get more rice by paying the same price. They don't care about wasting food even if they know they can't eat it all.'

Living in a more affluent society, Mr Ho said people did not cherish food as before. Education for the public, especially children, was the first step.

Mr Ho said the government should promote and educate the public more on separating food waste for recycling. He urged the government to provide funding to support the promotions.

Waste not, want not

Concern is increasing over the amount of food disposed of in landfills

Diners asking for less rice under the Green Student Council's scheme will receive a discount of (in HK dollars): $1