Charging for single-use disposable beverage cups

Day-to-day, we see the impacts the climate emergency and nature crises has on our communities, society, economic wellbeing, and environment – both here in Scotland and globally. Addressing these fundamental challenges is something we must all tackle together, and how we view and treat our resources is integral to tackling them.

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.

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.

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.

Our commitment to tackle consumption of these single-use items builds 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, we 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.

This consultation will inform future decisions about our approach to the charge and how it will work in practice for consumers and businesses.

Why your views matter

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.

Following this consultation, we will analyse consultation responses in order to understand the full range of views on our proposed approach to the charge, and impact assessments. We will also undertake any supporting analysis or research where required. The Scottish Government 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.

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