Scottish Government’s Proposal for 25p ‘Latte Cup Levy’ Gains Support from Environmental Advocates
Litter campaigners are lauding the Scottish Government’s initiative to introduce a 25p “latte levy,” viewing it as a golden opportunity to combat litter and wastage throughout the country. Keep Scotland Beautiful, a charity organisation, reported that a majority of Scots are fed up with encountering discarded single-use coffee cups and other beverage containers littering the landscape. Their data revealed that 53 per cent of Scots regularly observe such litter, prompting the SNP government to consider implementing a charge for single-use coffee cups.
The proposed levy aims to encourage the public to opt for reusable cups, similar to the success seen with the 2014 carrier bag charge in reducing single-use plastic bags. Keep Scotland Beautiful stressed in their submission to government consultations that the charge should not be less than 25p. They advocated for reinvesting the proceeds from the levy into enhancing recycling infrastructure and promoting the use of reusable alternatives.
While exemptions are anticipated for institutions like schools and hospitals, Keep Scotland Beautiful insisted that these should be minimal. The power to introduce levies for disposable items aligns with the Circular Economy Bill, a cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s environmental strategy. Paul Wallace, Head of Operations at Keep Scotland Beautiful, emphasised the importance of implementing the charge to shift consumer behaviour towards sustainable practices.
The proposal comes after an estimated 388 million single-use cups were utilised in Scotland in 2021-22, leading to significant litter concerns. Research from 2019 indicated that nearly half the population would alter their behaviour in response to a single-use cup charge. However, there are cautions that any levy should not disproportionately impact small businesses or consumers, a lesson learned from the failed Deposit Return Scheme for bottles and cans.
The Scottish Government recently concluded a public consultation on the coffee cup levy, with further developments anticipated in the near future.
In summary, the Scottish Government’s plan to introduce a 25p charge on single-use coffee cups has received strong support from environmental advocates, with hopes high for a significant reduction in waste and litter across the country. By encouraging the use of reusable cups and investing in recycling infrastructure, Scotland aims to take a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious society.