Single-use Disposable Cups Charge Advisory Group Meeting 8

1.0 Welcome, Apologies and Purpose of meeting

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed the group to the meeting of the Advisory Group.

 

2.0 Scottish Government update

The independent consultation analysis has been published. Time is now being taken to consider issues raised during consultation and other engagement including these meetings.

Regulations will not be made in 2025, but SG will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop a single-use cups charge that is deliverable and allows businesses and consumers time to prepare.

Work is also underway with Zero Waste Scotland to develop measures to promote the uptake of reusable alternatives.

 

3.0 Consultation analysis results (SG)

SG delivered a presentation on the findings of the independent consultation analysis, which has been published on www.gov.scot.

The consultation covered 6 topics and received over 1000 responses, with an 80/20 split between individuals and organisations.

The presentation covered the results of questions on:

Charge level

• over half respondents selected a specific charge level.
• around a third did not support the charge.
• behaviour change selected as top reason for the charge.
• strong steer for setting the same charge for all, not leave it to suppliers to set.

Scope of the charge

• mixed responses for exemptions.

Use of net proceeds

• strong support for environmental protection.
• a third of respondents chose ‘other’ option as not in favour of the charge.

 

Record keeping requirements and enforcement

• over two thirds disagreed with the record keeping requirements, driven by concerns of administrative burden especially for small businesses.
• those in favour were driven by the perceived usefulness of tracking impacts.
• enforcement regime support was split, with retailers mostly not supporting it, and concerns mostly around costs for enabling enforcement.

 

Implementation

• strong indicators that it would take more than 6 months for organisations to prepare for the charge.
• scottish Government support requested as public awareness communications, and clarity in regulations and guidance.

 

Impact assessments

• key themes that came through identified.

The consultation findings will be taken into account as Scottish Government works with stakeholders to develop policy proposals further.

The group discussed the consultation findings including topics such as trends in business consultation responses, campaign responses and the process for reviewing responses.

 

Attendees and apologies

Alison McKinnie, Zero Waste Scotland

Andreea Bocioaga, Zero Waste Scotland

Miriam Adcock, Zero Waste Scotland

Spela Raposa, Zero Waste Scotland

Shaun Taylor, Scottish Government

Tim Chant, Scottish Government

Jamie Wilson, Scottish Government

 

Jason Harvie, Alliance

Nicky Joiner, ASSIST FM

David Llewellyn, AVA

Alex Walsh, AVA

Craig Brown, Environmental Health

Victoria Manson, Federation of Small Businesses

Raymond Pang, Food Standards Scotland

Martin Kersh, Foodservice Packaging Association

Paul Wallace, Keep Scotland Beautiful

Loraine Hartley, NHS National Services Scotland

Neil Whittall, Paper Cup Recycling and Recovery Group

Diana Doonan, Scotland Excel

Paul Togneri, Scottish Beer & Pub Association

Catherine Gemmell, Scottish Environment Link

Aidan S, Scottish Grocer’s Federation

Colin Wilkinson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scottish Retail Consortium

Jayne Swanson, Scottish Wholesale Association

Items and actions

1.0 Welcome, Apologies and Purpose of meeting

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed the group to the meeting of the Advisory Group.

 

2.0 Scottish Government update

The independent consultation analysis has been published. Time is now being taken to consider issues raised during consultation and other engagement including these meetings.

Regulations will not be made in 2025, but SG will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop a single-use cups charge that is deliverable and allows businesses and consumers time to prepare.

Work is also underway with Zero Waste Scotland to develop measures to promote the uptake of reusable alternatives.

 

3.0 Consultation analysis results (SG)

SG delivered a presentation on the findings of the independent consultation analysis, which has been published on www.gov.scot.

The consultation covered 6 topics and received over 1000 responses, with an 80/20 split between individuals and organisations.

The presentation covered the results of questions on:

Charge level

• over half respondents selected a specific charge level.
• around a third did not support the charge.
• behaviour change selected as top reason for the charge.
• strong steer for setting the same charge for all, not leave it to suppliers to set.

Scope of the charge

• mixed responses for exemptions.

Use of net proceeds

• strong support for environmental protection.
• a third of respondents chose ‘other’ option as not in favour of the charge.

 

Record keeping requirements and enforcement

• over two thirds disagreed with the record keeping requirements, driven by concerns of administrative burden especially for small businesses.
• those in favour were driven by the perceived usefulness of tracking impacts.
• enforcement regime support was split, with retailers mostly not supporting it, and concerns mostly around costs for enabling enforcement.

 

Implementation

• strong indicators that it would take more than 6 months for organisations to prepare for the charge.
• scottish Government support requested as public awareness communications, and clarity in regulations and guidance.

 

Impact assessments

• key themes that came through identified.

The consultation findings will be taken into account as Scottish Government works with stakeholders to develop policy proposals further.

The group discussed the consultation findings including topics such as trends in business consultation responses, campaign responses and the process for reviewing responses.