The latest sign we're eating out less: Restaurants are buying fewer disposable cups and paper towels

Restaurants are buying fewer disposable cups, paper towels, and packaging supplies, companies that make the goods have said. Lia Toby/Getty Images for illycaffè Restaurants are buying fewer paper cups and takeout containers. Companies making the goods say their North American sales declined in results released this year. It's the latest sign that diners are eating out less. Even the humble disposable coffee cup suggests that diners are eating out less at restaurants . Companies that sell paper cups, plates, delivery containers, and similar packaging to restaurants say that they're seeing less demand from US businesses. Essity, a Swedish company that sells paper towels and cleaning supplies to businesses, including restaurants, said on Thursday that the dining pullback in the US was affecting sales. The company's sales volumes and prices in the US fell during its third quarter, it said.