The Scottish government has announced that the proposed “latte levy” will extend beyond coffee shops to include fast food restaurants. This initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of disposable cups by imposing a minimum charge of 25p on any drink served in such containers. Retailers will have the discretion to charge more if they choose.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government confirmed to the Scottish Sun that the levy would apply universally to all single-use disposable beverage cups, regardless of their material or the type of drink they contain. “The charge would be applied to all single-use disposable beverage cups, regardless of composition or type of drink the cup is intended to be used for. The charge would be intended to apply to cups for hot and cold drinks being purchased,” the spokesperson stated.

The government has outlined a few exemptions in the consultation document. These include vending machines and certain settings where reusable cups may not be practical, such as football stadiums, event spaces, and festivals, where single-use cups are necessary for safety reasons. Additionally, exemptions are likely for situations where it is not feasible to clean a reusable cup, such as on cross-border transport.

This move is part of a broader effort to encourage the use of reusable cups and reduce waste, aligning with Scotland’s environmental sustainability goals.