June 20, 2025 (Packaging News) –
The Scottish Government will not introduce a paper cup charge until after the Scottish General Election 2026, according to the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA).
The Scottish Government’s Single-Use Disposable Cups Charge Advisory Group met this week to hear the results of the consultation on a levy on paper cups in Scotland, which was published in August of last year.
The FPA said the consultation assumed the charge was going ahead and so was published to get reactions to alternative charge levels, exemptions, and options for use of the proceeds.
It said results showed 35% of respondents wanted no charge at all – that left two-thirds of the sample where there was no unanimity regarding what a charge would be, though 27% wanted it above the Scottish Government’s recommended 25p.
The Scottish Government again reiterated the purpose of the charge being to drive up reuse.
The FPA said it has already pointed out in the meeting the charge cannot be introduced until cup reuse systems are available at a national level.
If not then the public has no option but to pay the charge under the way Scotland wants cup charging to work.
A statement rad: “While claiming to be ‘mainstreaming reuse work’, upon probing this tuned out to be the ‘Borrow Cup’ campaign organised in Glasgow by environmental charity Hubbub in 47 Glasgow locations, including branches of Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero and Burger King.”
Martin Kersh, executive director, said: “Two-thirds of respondents felt there should be an ‘exemption for settings where a reusable cup is not practical’. So, if Scotland is to be true to its principles for introducing a cup levy, then the Scottish Government has a lot of work to do before the charge is introduced.”
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