Due to financial constraints brought on by the pandemic, many people are buying less meat but according to one food researcher, that could end up having some positive effects on the environment.

Janet Music, research program coordinator at the Agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University, says they’re seeing a decreased demand for meat, but that is not a new phenomenon. She points to the recession of 2008/2009 as having similar trends because people tend to shy away from more expensive grocery items when they lose confidence in their financial situation.

Music says one potential benefit could be the impact on food waste.

She likes getting the packages of meat with the “enjoy tonight” sticker on them. While they are closer to their end of life, they are still perfectly fine to eat, are cheaper, and help reduce the amount of food wasted, which has a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions.