Scots Wasting Millions of Pounds by Throwing Away Equivalent of 26m Burgers Every Year

April 7, 2016

The equivalent of 26 million beef burgers are thrown away every year across Scotland, the organisation Zero Waste Scotland has revealed as part of a new campaign aimed at encouraging Scots to limit the scale of meat they chuck away on a regular basis.

Launching its Love Food Hate Waste, the campaign group has highlighted the fact that while so many Scots love eating beef, a huge amount of what’s bought around the country ends up being discarded rather than enjoyed.

With this in mind, Zero Waste Scotland is now encouraging members of the public to visit its Love Food Hate Waste website, which has tips and ideas on how to make the most of whatever meat we buy as consumers.

The organisation wants to see food waste reduced right across Scotland, partly for environmental reasons but also because so many of us could be saving ourselves some significant sums of money each month if we wasted less of the food products we buy.

“Our research has shown that despite our love of beef in Scotland, we still throw away millions of pounds worth every year, with an equivalent weight of 26 million burgers, or the weight of 13 million steaks, in Scotland,” said Ylva Haglund, Zero Waste Scotland campaign manager.

The Love Food Hate Waste campaign has been launched by Zero Waste Scotland alongside Ayrshire-based beef farmers and the butchery brand ‘We hae meat’.

According to the people behind the campaign, some 22,000 tonnes worth of beef, lamb, pork and poultry products are thrown away every year in Scotland, with that amount of meat estimated to be worth around £140 million.

It’s thought that reducing avoidable food waste could save every Scottish household as much as £460 each on an annual basis.

“By speaking to your local butcher, on the high street or in a supermarket, you can make sure you buy the best type and quality of beef to suit your needs, get advice about preparation and storage, and ensure you get the best value for money,” said Carlyn Paton from ‘We hae meat’.

“We think the Love Food Hate Waste campaign is a great idea and we’re right behind it,” she said.

If you are struggling to manage your personal finances or to cope with your debts then Scotland Debt Solutions could help. Call one of our experts directly to arrange a free consultation.

How can I build my personal credit score?

6th March 2019

Your personal credit score plays an important part in securing new loans and credit, and can affect your financial life for better or worse. Lenders use the information in your credit file to determine whether you present a high risk of default, and if your credit score is low, you may find it difficult to […]

Read more

Could a Credit Union help with my cash flow problems?

5th March 2019

Credit unions offer a range of financial products including current accounts, savings accounts, and loans, and can be a good alternative to banks and building societies whilst also helping your cash flow. There are credit unions all around the UK, almost 100 of them operating in Scotland. They’re not always widely advertised, however, and although […]

Read more

Help – my monthly outgoings exceed my income

4th March 2019

It’s a worrying situation when you realise your outgoings exceed your income, and it can be difficult to prevent debt in this situation, but there are solid steps you can take to get back on track – you just need to act quickly. Increasing your income or reducing the money going out are essentially what […]

Read more

Benefits and tax credits when you’ve lost your job

1st March 2019

If you’ve lost your job, state benefits and tax credits can provide vital financial support to see you through this tough time and help you avoid taking on too much debt while you look for more work. As far as your old employment is concerned, it’s important that you check your final wage slip to […]

Read more

How has the Mond ruling changed PPI claims after a Trust Deed?

26th February 2019

If you are a Scottish resident in financial difficulty, you may have entered into a Trust Deed in order to restructure debt repayments to creditors. A Trust Deed is a fixed voluntary agreement made between the debtor and creditor, with the help of a trustee. Debt is broken down into smaller, affordable instalments, typically lasting […]

Read more

Which debts can be included in a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)?

21st February 2019

A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a government backed scheme which allows you to repay debt through contractual, monthly instalments without the threat of legal action and incurring penalties or interest. The scheme was established in 2004 for Scottish residents in debt, providing an alternative solution to sequestration, the Scottish equivalent of bankruptcy. A Debt […]

Read more