Single-use Disposable Cups Charge Advisory Group minutes: December 2024

Attendees and apologies

• David Llewellyn, AVA
• Garry Houston, NHS National Services Scotland
• Christine Boyle, Assist FM
• Belinda Munro, Assist FM
• Martin Kersh, Foodservice Packaging Association
• Paul Wallace, Keep Scotland Beautiful 
• Neil Whittall, Paper Cup Recycling and Recovery Group
• Adrian Pratt, Paper Cup Recycling and Recovery Group
• Angie McCarty, Scotland Excel
• Paul Togneri, Scottish Beer and Pub Association
• Catherine Gemmell, Scottish Environment Link 
• Aidan Smith, Scottish Grocer’s Federation
• Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scottish Retail Consortium
• Jayne Swanson, Scottish Wholesale Association
• Graeme Paton, Trading Standards
• Eilidh O'Connor, Vegware
• Victoria Manson, Federation of Small Businesses
• Colin Wilkinson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association
• Craig Brown, Environmental Health
• Magdalena Golebiewska, Easyjet
• Alison McKinnie, Zero Waste Scotland
• Andreea Bocioaga, Zero Waste Scotland
• Miriam Adcock, Zero Waste Scotland
• Shaun Taylor, Scottish Government
• Tim Chant, Scottish Government
• Janet McVea, Scottish Government 
• Jamie Wilson, Scottish Government  

Apologies

• Jill Bunya, 2050 Climate Group
• Tracy Reilly, Consumer Scotland  
• Kathryn Gill, Consumer Scotland  
• Jason Harvie, Alliance
• Professor Liam Delaney, EPECOM economist
• Andrew Morrison, Food Standards Scotland
• Gayle Barclay, Edinburgh Airport
• Leon Thompson, UK Hospitality   

Items and actions

Welcome, apologies and context setting 

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed the group to meeting 6 of the advisory group. 

New members: 

• Jamie Wilson, Waste Prevention Scottish Government
• Catherine Gemmell to replace Pheobe Cochrane (Scottish Environment Link)
• Garry Houston to replace Loraine from NHS National Services Scotland for this meeting
• Eilidh O’Connor, Vegware

The chair reminded everyone of the etiquette for participating in discussions.

Chair expressed thanks for members contribution to the cups charge consultation engagement events and emphasised that stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the process and not end with the consultation.

Consultation progress

Purpose of item

Shaun Taylor (Scottish Government) gave an overview of the progress on the consultation.

The summary included response numbers, process and timescales for publication of the analysis of the consultation responses in February, and restated thanks to those who contributed. 

Shaun gave an overview of the comprehensive and targeted stakeholder engagement process undertaken alongside the consultation. Key issues discussed with stakeholders included feedback on exclusions that were proposed in the consultation, enforcement, barriers of moving to reusables and use of net revenues. 

Discussion points for this item included:

• approach taken to analysing responses to the consultation
• clarification on terms such as ‘reusable’ and ‘refillable’ and the need for these to be clearly defined in future legislation or guidance
• Scottish Government commitment to introduce a charge remains but this will be done with close engagement with stakeholders such as this group
• implications of the charge for plans for the requirement for mandatory takeback of fibre composite cups no longer being taken forward as part of packaging extended producer responsibility changes

Next steps

Purpose of item

Shaun Taylor (Scottish Government) gave a summary of next steps and the timeline to bring the charge into force.

ST gave an overview of what’s next and chronology: 

• consultation launched and closed. Interim impact assessments (IAs) have been published 

• analysis of the consultation responses underway 

• interim IAs are being updated

• stakeholder engagement to continue throughout process
• Parliament procedures to commence spring 2025

• legislation to be made by the end of 2025
• coming into force date to be determined following further stakeholder engagement

Members are encouraged to continue to engage with the process to contribute to the development of regulations.  

MA from ZWS gave a brief overview of work underway with organisations to help businesses and consumers move to reusables. Engagement work is underway to understand the barriers and opportunities from using more reusables. This is a long-term project. The group will be kept informed throughout the process and are encouraged to engage with ZWS.

Discussions for this item also included the approach to completing impact assessments. ZWS confirmed the contractor for the Business Regulatory Impact Assessment will be reaching out to some members for input into that process. 

Closing remarks

Purpose of item

The Chair provided closing remarks for the meeting.

The Chair thanked the group for the value they have added in providing their expertise to help work through these important issues. This is an ongoing process, and the group will remain a key part of the development of these regulations.

Scottish Government/Zero Waste Scotland to be in contact in early 2025 to arrange the next meeting which will include discussion of the consultation findings.

Actions         

SG/ZWS to confirm next meeting date in early 2025.