Dinnae waste a morsel this Burns Night

As planning gets under way for Scotland’s annual celebration of the Bard, Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging Scots to make the most of the food they buy and avoid wasting their Burns Night fare.

With simple planning – such as making a shopping list and buying for the number of guests you are expecting – Scots can avoid wasting money and good food. If the “best laid schemes o’mice an’ men” on food planning still fall short, there are plenty of ways to save that delicious Scottish scran from waste and make sure not a morsel of your haggis supper goes in the bin.

Zero Waste Scotland’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign manager, Ylva Haglund, said: ‘Burns Night is a celebration that so many of us love to enjoy and share with family and friends, and it’s such a shame to see fantastic Scottish food go to waste. Many people are surprised to hear that once the traditional supper is done there are lots of really easy, tasty dishes you can create from leftover haggis – and save money by making full use of the food you’ve bought and avoiding another shop.’

James Macsween, managing director of award-winning Scottish haggis producers Macsween, said: ‘If your Chieftain haggis has proven to be too big a portion this year, Zero Waste Scotland's Love Food Hate Waste has some great recipes to ensure that nothing goes to waste. And from haggis nachos to lasagne, there's plenty of inspiration to help you enjoy Scotland's national dish all year round.’

Zero Waste Scotland estimates that every household in Scotland could save around £460 a year simply by wasting less food.

Despite that, Scots throw away the equivalent of 800 million meals every year – enough to feed everyone in Scotland three times a day for 50 days.