Retailers sceptical of new cups charge 

Responding to the publication of a consultation on introducing charging for Single Use Cups, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:

“Retailers are already taking action to improve the recycling of cups and reduce the use of disposable cups, including offering financial incentives to use reusable containers and changing materials to be more biodegradable. Therefore we question, at a time where the economy is flatlining and high streets are struggling, whether this is the time to introduce a new cost to hard-pressed consumers.

“We are sceptical at this time that the charge will make a substantial difference to the number of cups used. Furthermore, we oppose proposals to hypothecate the proceeds purely to environmental causes. We believe retailers are best placed to decide how the proceeds can help good causes in their local community.

“These proposals are poorly timed and we question if they will have a substantial impact. We hope the consultation period will provide an opportunity for the Scottish Government to reflect on whether policies like this charge will truly deliver the environmental change or economic growth Scotland desperately needs.”