Diners encouraged to ask for doggy bags to tackle food waste

Diners in Scotland have been urged to help tackle climate change by cutting down on food waste.

Environmental agency Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging Scots to not over-order in restaurants, ban garnishes from their plates and to ask for a doggy bag if they cannot finish their meal.

The call, made during the annual Scottish food and drink fortnight held between August 31 and September 15, has been backed by MasterChef champion Gary Maclean and the owner of the Black Sheep Bistro in Glasgow, Angela Loftus.

Mr Maclean, who is also Scotland’s national chef, said: “Food waste is a villain that we can fight with small changes to our everyday routines.

“Making sure that we use what we buy and throw out less is a really big deal in reducing our impact on the planet.”

As part of its Climate Change Plan, the Scottish Government committed to a target of reducing Scotland’s food waste by 33% by 2025.

Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland chief executive, said: “In our current climate emergency, it simply isn’t good enough to continue to operate in the wasteful ways of the past.

“Food waste is a huge contributor to carbon emissions and we can all play a significant role in reducing this impact.

“Whether it is doggy bags to take home, thinking a bit more about what you’re ordering or pre-planning meals, there are a lot of fairly small changes that could make a huge difference to Scotland and the rest of the planet.”