The introduction of a charge on single-use cups in Scotland has not been included in the 2025-26 programme for government.

The 25p charge has been in the pipeline for months and news of a further delay is likely to frustrate campaigners and supporters of reusable packaging models.

“The Scottish Government is working closely with stakeholders to develop a single-use cups charge that is deliverable and allows businesses and consumers time to prepare,” a spokesperson told Footprint. “We are taking time to fully consider the issues raised in the consultation to ensure the charge is effective, proportionate, and fair.”

The charge (often referred to as a ‘latte levy’) was included in legislation already passed by Holyrood and originally planned for the end of this year. This followed a detailed investigation on the pros and cons of the law by the Single-use Cup Charge Advisory Group.

Industry has by-and-large resisted such a charge – both in Scotland and in England. Delaying the regulation also avoids a dispute with Westminster over the Internal Market Act, suggested the Foodservice Packaging Association.

The National Cup Recycling Scheme said voluntary schemes remain key but appeared to also support the introduction of the charge. “Incentives and charges can both play a role in influencing behaviour, but whatever the mechanism, we need continued focus and collaboration to make cup recycling the norm,” said scheme manager Hannah Osman.

Foodservice operators in Glasgow have recently been supporting a large deposit and return scheme for reusable cups. The ‘Borrow Cup’ pilot, run by Hubbub, offers standardised reusable cups at more than 40 major brands and independent cafés in the city. After just three uses the cups ‘beat’ single-use on carbon emissions. 

A meeting of the government’s advisory Group has been called in early June, at which the findings of the consultation on the cup charge will be presented. The consultation highlighted how use of disposable cups has almost doubled from 200 million in 2018 to 388.7 million in 2021/22. That’s about 71 cups per person, or a total of 5,400 tonnes of waste. 

The Scottish Government has proposed the charge “will apply regardless of cup material” and ministers are confident that the scheme will reduce the number of cups in circulation. Recycling rates for single-use cups remain in the single figures.