The proposed 25p fee aims to reduce waste and littering in Scotland. Credit: patpitchaya.

The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on the proposed 25p charge for single-use disposable beverage cups.  

The initiative is part of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill, unanimously approved by the parliament in June this year.  

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The bill aims to reduce consumption and environmental harm by introducing a minimum charge for single-use items.  

The consultation, open until 14 November 2024, seeks input on various aspects of the proposed charge, including its level, scope, and impact on businesses and consumers.  

The move aligns with Scotland’s strategic aim to reduce and reuse, with a commitment to implement the charge by the end of 2025. 

Single-use disposable beverage cup usage in Scotland has surged, with an estimated 388.7 million used in 2021-22, leading to 5,400mt of waste annually.  

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The proposed charge is expected to build on the success of the 2014 single-use carrier bag charge, which proved effective in changing consumer behaviour. 

Net Zero and Energy acting cabinet secretary Gillian Martin said: “We want to build on the success of the single use carrier bag charge introduced in 2014 – it demonstrated that a charge can raise awareness, change behaviour and promote responsible consumption.  

“A charge for single-use disposable beverage cups will therefore be modelled on this approach, where appropriate, as it will be familiar and has been shown to be effective. I am also committed to implementing this in a way which aligns with our New Deal for Business principles, minimising any burdens as much as possible while achieving the overall objective of reducing our reliance on single-use items. 

“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.”