New cup charge

used in them – only two sites, both in England, can recycle them the pace with which these improvements are happening must be increased.”

Earlier this year, scientists from Cardiff University said a charge on disposable cups increased the use of re-usable coffee cups by 3.4 per cent.

The study, which trialled different measures in a range of cafés, found the provision of free re-usable alternatives combined with clear environmental messaging and a charge on disposable cups increased the use of reusable cups in one café from 5.1 per cent to 17.4 per cent. It said that it believed overall use could be reduced by 12.5 per cent – or 200 million cups a year.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “We havecommittedtofurtherour efforts to tackle throwaway culture by considering how to reduce demand for single use items like disposable cups.

“We will appoint an expert panel to advise on the possible use of charges, similar to the successful plastic bag charge, as well as other potential measures to encourage longterm and sustainable changes in consumer behaviour.”

A decision to introduce a 5p levy per plastic carrier bag in Scotland three years ago resulted in a reduction of 80 per cent of carrier bag use, with around 650 million fewer bags being used in the seven major retailers alone, according to Zero Waste Scotland.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “As with the successful carrier bag charge, there is an opportunity to reduce litter and encourage re-usable packaging through a levy or charge.”