The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Scotland’ s ban on single-use plastics starts next month
Aban on some of the most common single-use plastics will come into effect in Scotland next month, with significant fines for any businesses that don’t comply.
The sale and use of plastic straws, cutlery, polystyrene cups and takeaway boxes will be banned as part of measures to reduce waste.
Scotland is the first UK nation to pursue the ban but, as The Press & Journal found out, not all businesses seem to be aware of the changes.
The legislation will come into force on June 1 and applies to online and instore sales, whether they are free or charged for.
In addition to polystyrene containers, straws and plastic cutlery, the ban also includes plastic drinks stirrers, plastic plates and balloon sticks.
According to the Scottish Government this follows a six-month grace period, meaning that after June 1 businesses using any of these items will be committing an offence.
Failure to comply with the regulations carries a maximum fine of £5,000.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government explained that Zero Waste Scotland has been running a campaign with advice to help businesses prepare for the change.
This has mostly involved spreading the word about the upcoming ban and encouraging businesses to have used their stocks up by the deadline.
Although there are a few cardboard alternatives around now, all sorts of businesses still use plastic cutlery and polystyrene boxes in particular.
To get a feel for how widespread their use is, The Press & Journal visited six takeaway shops in Aberdeen and found all six are still using plastic cutlery and polystyrene containers. Only one of the six knew about the incoming ban on June 1.
In all the shops, there were stacks of polystyrene boxes piled up. One shop owner told us he had at least six months’ stock.
Owner of Marco’s Fish Bar on Justice Mill Lane, Marco Hamedi, said he had been to the wholesaler that morning to buy more polystyrene boxes and plastic forks.
Though he had no problems getting the plastic boxes, the cutlery was another story.
“I couldn’t find plastic forks anywhere and so had to buy wooden forks,” he said.
“I asked the wholesaler why they didn’t have plastic forks and they didn’t know.
“I had no idea this ban was coming in June, we have not been told anything – no letter, no email, no TV advert, nothing.”
Catering suppliers like Brakes and Nisbets are still selling a range of the soonto-be-banned items, like plastic cutlery which is on sale for half price.
The durability of plastic means items used for a few minutes can last for centuries in landfill or as litter.
In addition to concerns for wildlife, constantly creating new plastic uses more raw materials, more energy and produces more CO2 which contribute to climate change.
A spokesperson from Zero Waste Scotland said introducing a ban is an important step in moving away from the throwaway culture.
“Plastic is a material that lasts hundreds of years, so it should be used to make items we want to keep using again and again and not for something to stir your tea with and then discard.
“We would like to see businesses switching to reusable options wherever possible and avoid simply switching to single-use items made from other materials.”
It is estimated the average person uses 18 throwaway plastic plates and 37 single-use knives, forks and spoons each year.
In Scotland, 66 million polystyrene food containers are thrown away a year.
If members of the public come across a firm using any of the banned products after 1 June, they are recommended to contact their local authority.