IT’S the last chance to have your say in the consultation on a single-use cup charge.
The Scottish Government consultation on introducing a charge on single-use cups closes on Thursday, November 14, and Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) is urging businesses and organisations in Dumfries and Galloway to take part.
It is proposed to introduce a charge of approx. 25p on all single-use cups for both hot and cold drinks, with a small number of exceptions for settings like schools.
ZWS say that over 380 million single use cups are used in Scotland every year, which is the equivalent of 71 cups per person per year – one of the highest rates compared to nations in the European Union.
Chief executive Iain Gulled said: “The proposed charge for single-use cups is another really important step to help us move away from our throwaway society and towards a more circular economy. Our on-the-go culture has fuelled an enormous rise in single-use items that are a waste of resources and end up polluting our natural environment.
“Measures, like the single-use carrier bag charge, have shown that small financial disincentives are an effective way of changing behaviour towards single-use items and can help switch people on to reusable alternatives.
“We appreciate the implementation of a cup charge can lead to additional considerations for retailers, which is why I would strongly urge them to engage in this consultation – so decision-makers can best understand how to enact this important measure in a way that works well for retailers and customers alike.”
The consultation on charging for single use disposable beverage cups can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/charging-single-use-disposable-beverage-cups-consultation/
