The Fed calls for improved communication from Scotland

The Scottish government’s consultation on introducing a charge on single-use cups closed on 14 November 2024.   

It proposed introducing a charge of around 25p on all single-use cups for both hot and cold drinks, with a small number of exceptions for settings like schools.  

According to the government, over 380 million single-use cups are used in Scotland every year, which is the equivalent of 71 cups per person per year – one of the highest rates compared to nations in the European Union.  

The Fed added that it is “of the utmost importance that there is at least a six-month notice period” ahead of the proposed changes.  

The Fed’s national president Mo Razzaq, who owns a store in Blantyre, said: “It is vital for the Scottish government to communicate clear instructions to retailers on how the scheme is to be administered, to communicate the ‘how and why’ to customers and to allow retailers enough time to prepare for the changes. 

“Communication was one of the key weaknesses of the Deposit Return Scheme. as it seems to have been considered at a late stage – even though the ask to consumers and retailers involved a major behavioural change. We would hope lessons have been learned from this. 

“A clear and simple administrative process and a clear and effective communication campaign is essential to ensure that retailers and consumers understand the why and the how.” 

He said the challenges to retailers would include recording the numbers of single-use disposable beverage cups charged for; the charge paid for them; the amount retailers are entitled to deduct to calculate the net proceeds – such as the costs to administer the system and VAT – and the net proceeds raised by the charge.  

He added: “We would anticipate that 25p is a sufficient incentive for many customers to remember to bring their own cup. A higher price might encourage customers to go without a drink if they haven’t brought their own cup.” 

The Fed also believes the funds generated from the charge should be retained by businesses and redirected to local worthy causes, like the carrier bag charge. 

Razzaq said: “Retailers would welcome the ability to support good causes in their communities, a long-established tradition in local convenience stores. This could be a local hospice or sports team or local school very much deserving of support.”