Now coffee drinkers face a tax on their takeaway cups
coffee drinkers could face a tax on takeaway cups under a plan being considered by the SNP.
Party members will debate the proposal that would see those buying hot drinks charged a small fee for disposable containers – similar to the 5p charge which was introduced for plastic bags.
The plan has been put forward by MSP Stuart McMillan and is on the provisional agenda for the SNP conference in october.
His resolution claims that many coffee shops, cafes and other restaurants use ‘single-use paper laminate or paper/plastic laminate cups’ when serving drinks for customers to take away.
While he notes that some firms have introduced incentives ‘for customers who bring their own cups to be filled with new coffee and drinks’, he believes more must be done to tackle the country’s growing litter problems.
Mr McMillan said: ‘Plastic bag charges have been successful after being a bit controversial originally.
‘When you consider the coffeedrinking culture we have, this is worthwhile pursuing whatever sort of business is involved. If you think of the environmental aspect, you have someone walking down the street with a coffee and the cup goes straight into the bin.
‘It goes straight into the bins and isn’t being recycled. It’s going to landfill, which is harmful to the environment.’
Around 208million disposable cups are thrown away every year.
Mr McMillan’s proposal is one of a number of radical schemes to be discussed in a bid to slash Scotland’s litter problems. This includes the introduction of a deposit return scheme in which customers would be charged an additional 10p when buying a bottle or can. The money would be refunded when the container is returned to the shop.
earlier this year the Scottish Daily Mail launched a campaign calling on the Scottish Government to introduce the initiative, with ministers now seriously considering the plan.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are committed to ambitious targets to reduce all waste by 15 per cent by 2025.
‘We are interested in innovative ideas which could help us tackle the wide range of waste which is produced and ultimately help us achieve this important target, and are working with businesses to consider the best ways to reduce the impact of plastic materials used by consumers.’
This comes as businesses and councils are being urged by Zero Waste Scotland to join a new nationwide campaign to prevent littering and fly-tipping.
Ian Gulland, chief executive of the group, said: ‘It is clear that litter picking and cleaning alone is not a long-term solution to Scotland’s litter issue. That’s why we need to work together to prevent litter at its source.’
‘Goes into bins and isn’t recycled’