Single-Use Disposable Beverage Cups Charge: Equality Impact Assessment – Interim Report

3. Scope of the EQIA

Prior to consultation, a preliminary framing workshop was conducted by Zero Waste Scotland, involving officials in the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Division and Equality, Inclusion & Human Rights Directorate. The workshop identified a limited number of potential impacts and so a proportionate desk-based approach was taken to source existing data and evidence.

In summary, scoping activities comprised:

• Framing workshop: Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Government workshop, as noted above.
• Evidence-gathering: quantitative and qualitative data and evidence were sourced, including evidence from existing large Scotland- and UK-level surveys and evidence from other relevant policy impact assessments.

In addition to these activities, findings from stakeholder engagement activities, such as meetings of the Single-Use Disposable Cups Charge Advisory Group^[11] and experience gathered from developing the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021^[12] (the single-use plastic regulations) have also been considered when identifying potential impacts from implementing a charge on single-use disposable beverage cups.

Discussions with the group identified the potential for people with a disability to be negatively affected by implementing a charge. This is discussed further in section 4 below.

As this is an interim EQIA, it is not intended to be a definitive statement or a full assessment of impacts. It presents a preliminary assessment and indicative impacts that will require further consideration by the Scottish Government to inform the development and implementation of the final policy. In addition to the impacts considered, it is important to note that the protected characteristics considered within this interim EQIA are not independent of each other. Some people may have to deal with complex and interconnected issues.

Evidence available and gathered during the consultation will help inform this EQIA which will be updated following the consultation period.