Charging for single-use disposable beverage cups

There is still time to take part in a Scottish Government (SG) consultation on the proposed implementation of charging for single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland, with responses accepted up until the closing date of Thursday 14 November 2024.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland, rising to an estimated 388.7 million in 2021-22, one of the highest in the EU. They create 5,400 tonnes of waste in Scotland each year, are a symbol of our throwaway culture and a visible sign of litter.

Gillian Martin MSP, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy said:

“Addressing the climate emergency and nature crises are fundamental challenges we must all tackle together. Day-to-day we see the impacts they are having on our communities, our society, our economic wellbeing, and our environment – both here in Scotland and globally.

“This consultation will help us develop an approach to drive responsible consumption and reuse as part of our wider efforts to build a greener, more sustainable Scotland”.

The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, given Royal Ascent on 8 August 2024, provides new powers requiring suppliers of single-use items to charge a minimum amount for such items, with the policy aim of reducing consumption and therefore reducing the environmental harm caused. The Scottish Government intends that an early use of such powers will be to introduce a minimum charge on single-use disposable beverage cups.

The consultation will help inform future decisions about the Scottish Governments approach to the charge and how it will work in practice for consumers and businesses. It will help to develop an approach to drive responsible consumption and reuse as part of our wider efforts to build a greener, more sustainable Scotland.

Following this consultation, the SG will analyse consultation responses in order to understand the full range of views on the proposed approach to the charge, and impact assessments. The SG will also undertake any supporting analysis or research where required. This will then come to a decision on how a charge could be implemented and will continue to work with stakeholders to develop the final policy and implementation plan.

The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.

Background

Around four-fifths of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from the products and services we manufacture, use and throw away. While progress has been made, we still need to cut our emissions significantly and to achieve this we must drive a societal shift to reduce the demand for things we use and throw-away. The best way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place and everyone can play a role in moving towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

The SG is committed to tackling consumption of single-use items, building on the work of the independent Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures. Its 2019 report made a number of recommendations to tackle the dependence on, and environmental impact of, single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland, including the introduction of a national mandatory charge.

Since then, the SG have worked with a range of stakeholders, including through the Single-Use Disposable Beverage Cups Charge Advisory Group, to help inform the development of this policy. We will continue to listen to stakeholders’ views to ensure any scheme is practical, effective and proportionate.

You can access the consultation at Charging for single-use disposable beverage cups