Scottish Government launches consultation on single-use disposable cup charge
Proposed 25p fee on discardable drink cups aims to reduce waste and littering in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has initiated a public consultation on the proposed introduction of charges on single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland.
Following the enactment of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill in June 2024, Scottish Ministers are looking to implement a minimum charge on disposable beverage cups as their first steps towards reducing environmental harm caused by waste.
Research conducted by Zero Waste Scotland revealed a significant rise in the use of single-use cups, with numbers increasing from approximately 200 million in 2018 to an estimated 388.7 million in 2021-22 across Scotland. These cups contribute 5,400 tonnes of waste annually, and are a prominent symbol of littering.
Moreover, the cost of collecting and disposing of littered single-use beverage cups is currently placing an estimated financial burden of around £1 million per year on local authorities in Scotland.
Proposed changes and consultation details
The Scottish Government’s consultation paper proposes a charge of at least 25p on all single-use beverage cups purchased with any drink. This charge would be applied regardless of cup material, and would therefore include more sustainable cups made from biodegradable material or bio-based plastics.
However, there will be exceptions for when a drink is free, such as in a hospital or care home, and based on specific purposes or settings, such as in schools and vending machines.
Retailers would be permitted to retain a portion of the charge to cover reasonable implementation costs, analogous to the approach applied to the single-use carrier bag charge.
The consultation, which runs until 14 November 2024, invites responses on 19 questions, covering topics such as the appropriate level for the charge, its scope, the allocation of net proceeds, enforcement strategies, implementation costs, timelines, and potential impacts on businesses and customers.
Expected results
A 2019 academic literature review from the Expert Panel on Environmental Charging and Other Measures (EPECOM) indicates that charges are more effective than discounts in reducing the use of disposable cups. The review recommends that a minimum charge of £0.20-0.25 would be necessary to influence the behaviour of nearly half (49 per cent) of the population.
Additionally, the 2022 report from Zero Waste Scotland outlines various scenarios for the potential reduction in demand for single-use cups following the introduction of the charge. Across three scenarios analysed, the study predicts an average decrease of 35 per cent in the number of cups used.
The proposed charge on single-use beverage cups is part of a broader strategy by the Scottish Government to combat plastic waste. Previous actions include the ban on problematic single-use plastics such as microbeads, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, and expanded polystyrene food containers and cups.
