HONG KONG ~ Hong Kong restaurants have come up with a novel way to cut down on waste from food leftovers – threatening to fine diners who don’t eat up.

A number of restaurants in the Chinese city alert customers that they will charge them between HK$5 and $20 (64 US cents-$2.5) if they leave any food on their plates, the South China Morning Post reported.

It said a handful of restaurants serving do-it-yourself hotpots, sushi and buffets had set up the system.