Asked to Package Leftovers, Told to Pay 10% More: Economic Crisis Fuels Controversy

Amid Soaring Inflation, Takeout Packaging Culture Spreads in Argentina
Some Restaurants Charge a 5-10% Packaging Fee on Food Prices
Debate Among Netizens: "Is the Packaging Fee Justified?"

Some restaurants in Argentina have sparked controversy by charging an additional fee when customers request to have their leftover food packaged to go. According to Yonhap News on May 17 (local time), citing local media outlet Clar?n, "As packaging leftover food has become a cultural norm in Argentina, which is experiencing a high inflation economic crisis, some restaurants have started charging a fee, leading to a debate over whether this practice is justified."

Some restaurants in Argentina are facing controversy for charging an additional fee when customers ask to take leftover food home. Photo by Getty Images

According to Clar?n, in the past, the practice of taking leftover food home was rare in Argentina, and there was even a tendency to view it unfavorably. Because Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world and has abundant food production, the culture of packaging leftovers had not become widespread. Even when the Buenos Aires city government launched a pilot program in 2017 to reduce food waste by packaging restaurant leftovers in paper boxes, the initiative reportedly failed due to a lack of public interest.

However, in less than ten years, the high inflation economic crisis has naturally changed people's habits. Citizens who previously felt "embarrassed" or "didn't want to be seen as stingy" about taking food home have now embraced packaging leftovers, turning it into a trend. Most restaurants are said to provide this service without any additional fee.

However, some restaurants have sparked controversy by charging a packaging fee amounting to 5-10% of the food price. Restaurant owners say that, in a situation where it is difficult to raise menu prices, the costs of packaging materials such as plastic containers, stickers, and branded plastic bags are becoming a burden. One restaurant industry insider told Clar?n, "Due to the decline in dining out caused by the economic downturn, the decrease in foreign tourists due to high prices, and the rising costs of various expenses, the cost of packaging food cannot be ignored."

Argentinian influencer Lachicadelbrunch sparked a debate over the cost of packaging leftover food. Instagram

This issue gained traction when 'Lachicadelbrunch,' a local influencer known as 'Brunch Girl,' asked on social media, "A restaurant in Buenos Aires asked me to pay an extra fee to package my leftovers. What do you think about this?" On local social media, opinions were divided between those who argued, "Packaging costs are not that high, so restaurants should of course let customers take leftovers home," and those who said, "We should also consider the restaurant's situation." She argued that "the cost of packaging should simply be added to the price of the food."

In 2023, Argentina recorded an annual inflation rate of 211.4%, the highest in the world. The average price of all goods more than tripled in a single year, marking the highest level in 33 years. However, after President Javier Milei took office and made curbing inflation his top priority, the annual inflation rate in 2024 dropped to 117.8%. While still in the triple digits, this represented a decrease of nearly 100 percentage points.