Most Scots back

● 72 per cent of people say they would back a levy on single-use cups

Almost three-quarters of people in Scotland would support a charge on single-use coffee cups, a survey has found.

The poll by the Marine Conservation Society asked people if they would support paying a deposit on disposable coffee cups to encourage the use of refillable cups or cups being returned for recycling. Only 8 per cent of people said they actively opposed such charges, while 72 per cent said they were in favour.

A total of 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away every year in the UK – about 5,000 every minute .

However, the proportion of Scots who supported the idea of a charge was slightly lower than in the rest of the UK, where 74 per cent of people said they would be keen to see a charge introduced.

Last month, the Scottish Government said it is planning to introduce a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans.

A Scottish Government spokesman said yesterday ministers are considering introducing a charge on single-use coffee cups.

Calum Duncan, head of conservation Scotland for MCS, said: “MCS wants to see a reduction in all litter items, particularly disposable single-use items like coffee cups, as there are so many easy alternatives.

“As the environmental toll of litter on our seas grows, we

Most coffee cups are difficult to recycle due to the mix of materials need progressive measures that discourage the throwaway mindset whilst encouraging simple positive actions like using refillable ‘on-the-go’ coffee cups and drinks bottles.”

The vast majority of throw-away coffee cups are almost impossible to recycle, as they contain polyethylene, a material used to make them waterproof. It is recycleable in only two specialist centres in the UK, both in England.

Stuart Mcmillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde and a supporter of MCS, said that the success of the plastic carrier bag charge over the past three years suggested a similar tax on single-use cups could be worthwhile.

He said: “As we look to move away from our throw-away culture which is, ultimately, not sustainable, I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is further investing in ways to tackle single-use products usage.

“Although we have made steady progress on recycling,