Plastic bottles usage in Scottish Government buildings: EIR release

Information requested

Would you be able to provide the following information:

• Can you confirm whether plastic bottles are sold/provided in Scottish Government buildings directly or through it’s suppliers? This could be in canteens, vending machines, or the provision of catering services at events.
• Can you confirm whether the Scottish Government has introduced or will be introducing a policy to remove plastic bottles and introduce glass bottles only?
• Can you confirm whether introducing a policy to remove plastic bottles and introduce glass bottles only has been discussed within the Scottish Government and/or with external suppliers?

Response

Can you confirm whether plastic bottles are sold/provided in Scottish Government buildings directly or through it’s suppliers. This could be in canteens, vending machines, or the provision of catering services at events.

• I can confirm that plastic bottles are available for sale in Scottish Government buildings through our Catering contractor, in the catering facilities and in vending machines.

Can you confirm whether the Scottish Government has introduced or will be introducing a policy to remove plastic bottles and introduce glass bottles only.

• The Scottish Government has not introduced a policy to remove plastic bottles and use glass bottles only, and has no plans to do so in the immediate future. This will be kept under review.

Can you confirm whether introducing a policy to remove plastic bottles and introduce glass bottles only has been discussed within the Scottish Government and/or with external suppliers.

• I can confirm that introducing a policy to remove plastic bottles and introduce glass bottles only has been discussed with our Catering contractor. These discussions resulted in the removal of plastic water bottles from our Hospitality service and replacement with chilled water containers. The Scottish Government also uses plumbed in mains chilled watercoolers within it's buildings.

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