MORE than half of Scots are “concerned” about tinned foods, according to new research by YouGov.
A total of 22% of respondents said they thought of tins as a “last resort” when cooking, while 20% thought of them as a less healthy option.
The research also found that 55% of people living in Scotland admit to having concerns about canned cuisine, while 33% see tins as something only students and the elderly use.
Zero Waste Scotland, a non-profit organisation which promotes an eco-friendly, waste free lifestyle, has called for shoppers to rethink tins for their own benefit.
It warned that the stigma towards tinned foods means people choosing options with a shorter shelf-life, increasing food waste which contributes to both climate change and the cost of living crisis.
It found in a 2011 study that food contributes more to Scotland’s waste carbon impact than almost any other waste type, accounting for 30% of Scotland’s household waste carbon footprint, and 70% of Scotland’s food waste comes from households.
Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Staggeringly, UK households waste the equivalent of eight meals a week because food is stored incorrectly or not used in time. But with the price of food going up it makes even more sense to waste as little as possible.
“Tins are a staple in any kitchen cupboard, but it’s easy to overlook their ability to help us tackle the amount of food we waste. They’re convenient and can be easily recycled at home. That makes them a win-win for both cutting food waste and avoiding sending unnecessary packaging to landfill.
“Tinned food can help even those of us with the busiest schedules make the most of the food we love, creating ‘tin-spired’ recipes with quality ingredients that are there when we need them.” Tins, unlike most packaged foods, are easily recyclable at home and are collected in all 32 local authorities in Scotland to be reprocessed.
