We don’t need latte levy, just get better at recycling cups

COFFEE producers and retailers have hit out at the Scottish Government over plans to introduce a so-called ‘latte levy’.

They say that a ‘total lack of recycling infrastructure’ is to blame for the rising tide of plastic waste blighting Scotland’s streets.

Scots face a charge of at least 20p on single-use cups after the SNP confirmed plans for the fee last week.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham pledged to introduce legislation to impose a charge on all disposable cups, such as those bought from coffee shops, within the next 18 months.

It is part of a radical move to clean up the streets, beaches and countryside following a campaign by the Scottish Daily Mail for a crackdown on singleuse plastic.

The Scottish Government hopes the levy will be as effective as the plastic bag charge – introduced in 2014 – which in its first year led to an 80 per cent drop in the use of throwaway carriers.

The levy will form part of the Government’s Circular Economy Bill.

Although the move has been welcomed by politicians and campaigners, coffee producers and retailers in the UK have hit out at the plans.

The British Coffee Association claims the charge is ‘unfair’ to customers and blamed the Government for failing to introduce adequate ways to recycle coffee cup waste.

A spokesman said: ‘The British Coffee Association does not support a cup charge on single-use cups in Scotland as it is unfair to charge customers when there is a total lack of recycling infrastructure throughout the UK.

‘Coffee cups, specifically, are fully recyclable and the UK has sufficient capacity to process all coffee cups used. However, capturing them within the existing infrastructure is the key issue.

‘Single-use cups contribute only 0.7 per cent of paper packaging waste.

‘We call upon the UK Government and devolved governments to do more to focus on scaling recycling infrastructure and consistency.’

If passed, the new legislation could lead to other disposables being banned.

The new levy was recommended by an expert panel set up to advise the Scottish Government on how to reduce plastic waste. It proposed a levy of at least 20-25p. It is hoped the charge will help to reduce the 4,000 tons of waste that is generated by single-use cups each year.

Miss Cunningham said: ‘If Scotland is to tackle the scourge on unnecessary waste, we must promote the development of sustainable materials, increase the use of reusable products and improve the way items are dealt with at the end of their life.

‘With the number of single-use cups expected to reach 310 million a year by 2025 if current usage is not addressed, bold measures are needed.

‘The Scottish Government sees both a charge on single-use cups – similar to the carrier bag charge – and more effective recycling as necessary parts of our response. We look forward to working with businesses, communities and individuals on this issue and our forthcoming Circular Economy Bill.’

The Scottish Government has pledged to introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic, glass and aluminium bottles and cans in a bid to cut down on waste.

A charge of 20p will be added to the cost of the drink, which will be refunded when the container is returned for recycling.

Ministers have also pledged to outlaw plastic straws and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

A ban on microbeads in cosmetics has already been implemented.