Developing Scotland's circular economy - proposals for legislation: analysis of responses

8 Proposals for secondary legislation (Q19-Q21)

8.1 Section 6 of the consultation paper set out two proposals for secondary legislation related to the development of a circular economy in Scotland. These focused on (i) including circular economy and climate change obligations in the procurement strategies of public bodies and (ii) increasing the minimum charge for single-use carrier bags from 5p to 10p. Three (closed) questions on these proposals were included in the consultation.

Question 19: Do you agree with the proposal that procurement strategies published by relevant public bodies should include consideration of activity which supports the circular economy and action on climate change? [Yes / No / Neither agree nor disagree]

Question 20: Do you agree with the proposal to increase the minimum charge on single-use carrier bags from 5p to 10p? [Yes / No / Neither agree nor disagree]

Question 21: Do you agree that the initial 5p minimum charge on single-use carrier bags has had a positive impact on the environment? [Yes / No / Neither agree nor disagree]

Supporting the circular economy in public sector procurement (Q19)

8.2 Question 19 asked respondents if they agreed that procurement strategies published by relevant public bodies should include activity that would support the circular economy and action on climate change. Table 8.1 shows that respondents (both organisations and individuals) were nearly unanimous in their views on this question, with 97% overall agreeing.

Increasing the minimum charge on single-use carrier bags (Q20)

8.3 Question 20 asked respondents if they agreed with the proposal to increase the minimum charge on single-use carrier bags from 5p to 10p. Table 8.2 shows that a large majority of respondents (80%) agreed. Individuals (88%) were more likely than organisations (64%) to answer 'yes' to this question. Respondents who did not answer 'yes' to this question were more likely to say 'neither agree nor disagree' rather than 'no'.

Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

8.4 In addition, 1,244 individuals who submitted responses through the Friends of the Earth Scotland campaign stated that they fully supported the Scottish Government's proposal to 'increase the minimum single-use carrier bag charge from 5p to 10p'. It may be inferred that these individuals have answered 'yes' to Question 20.

Perceived impact of 5p charge on single-use carrier bags (Q21)

8.5 Question 21 asked respondents if they agreed that the initial 5p minimum charge on single-use carrier bag has had a positive impact on the environment. Table 8.3 shows that a large majority of respondents (80%) agreed with this statement. Individuals (86%) were more likely than organisations (67%) to answer 'yes'. Among both groups, respondents who did not answer 'yes' were more likely to say 'neither agree nor disagree' rather than 'no'.