Scot Gov consultation on Charging for Single-Use Disposable Beverage Cups

The Scottish Government has published a consultation on introducing a charge for single-use disposable beverage cups on 22nd August. The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2024 gives Scottish Ministers new powers to require suppliers of single-use items to charge a minimum amount for such items. The policy aim is to reduce consumption and therefore reduce the environmental harm caused. The Scottish Government intends that the first use of such powers will be to introduce a minimum charge on single-use disposable beverage cups.

The proposals in the consultation include:

• a charge of at least 25p should apply to all single-use beverage cups when an individual buys a drink of any kind;

• the charge will apply regardless of cup material, and therefore would include cups made of biodegradable material or bio-based plastics;

• there will be a limited number of exemptions based on purpose or setting, for instance in schools and when a drink is bought from a vending machine. This exemption does not apply to drink machines in retail settings where the drink is taken to a checkout for payment but in scenarios where a vending machine is used instead of a staffed service;

• retailers should be able to retain reasonable implementation costs from the charge, in line with the approach taken for the single use carrier bags charge;

• net proceeds of the charge should be used for environmental or similar purposes.

SGF will be responding to this consultation and engaging with the government and our members throughout this process. It is open until 14th November 2024. 

You can read more on the proposals and respond to the consultation at: https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/charging-for-single-use-disposable-beverage-cups/