Costs vastly outweigh benefits, says SRC
THE Scottish Retailer Consortium (SRC) has called on the Scottish Government to scrap the levy on disposable cups as part of the new Circular Economy bill.
The SRC has argued that the sector is already currently facing a slew of costly legislation – including the deposit return scheme and extended producer responsibility – along with a raft of devolved restrictions on a range of food products and alcohol.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the SRC, said: “Scotland’s shops, cafes, and restaurants are already taking significant steps to reduce waste, increase reuse and recycling of cups, and help move to a more circular economy. A cups charge will do very little to help that, whilst hitting both businesses and consumers in the pocket.
“Adding a charge to drinks on the go is more likely to affect whether consumers buy the drink in the first place rather than encourage them to use a reusable cup. The idea consumers will treat cups the same way as shopping bags is implausible.”
In response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the matter – which closes on 14 November – the SRC has argued:
• The levy will change whether consumers buy drinks, not whether they choose reusable alternatives.
• The levy will impact on the least affluent consumers most heavily.
• Many retailers and hospitality businesses will not be able to administer the levy, nor practically offer reusable alternatives.
• There will be a discrete impact on food-to-go businesses already under significant pressure from weak sales and increasing costs.
• The Government should instead focus on improving recycling infrastructure and collection alongside supporting the wide range of industry initiatives.
MacDonald-Russell said: “If the Government press forwards with these plans in the face of industry concerns, then we hope they will recognise the significant challenges for many, including smaller businesses, in turning this idea into practical implementable policy.
“Whilst we recognise Government wants to take action to improve recycling and reuse rates across Scotland, that can only be done with proportionate policymaking. We don’t believe a new charge on cups passes that test.”
