Single-Use Disposable Beverage Cups Charge: Island Communities Impact Assessment Report: Pre-Consultation Interim Report

3. Step two – Data and stakeholders

This section describes the potential impacts identified that could have a significant impact on islands which is different from what can be expected on the mainland. Island rurality can exacerbate any inequality already experienced on account of protected characteristics, such as age and disability, (see the ‘Equalities Impact Assessment’) or those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage (see the ’Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment’).

Three potential impacts were identified at this stage and are explored in more detail below:

i. Cost;

ii. Transient populations; and

iii. Waste management (potential positive).

There may be mitigation measures for any potential impact, this will form part of the engagement with island communities during consultation.

It is also unclear how data differs between islands, this will also form part of further considerations during the consultation period and stakeholder engagement.

Cost

A Scottish Government report from 2021 estimated that the cost of living in rural Scotland including the islands, is between 15% and 30% higher than urban parts of the UK^[10]. The budgets that households need to achieve a ‘minimum acceptable living standard’ in remote rural Scotland are typically 10-40 per cent higher than elsewhere in the UK^[11]. At this stage, it was considered that any potential impact was unlikely to be an issue that was significantly different for island communities, although as noted above, we do recognise that the cost of living is generally higher in island communities.

The charge is avoidable by using a re-useable cup, either one that an individual owns themselves or one which is supplied by the retailer. It should be noted that this is dependent on the way in which retailers implement the charge and consultation analysis will help to inform any regulations and guidance linked to this.

Transient populations

Many island communities have large transient populations linked to tourism, often with large numbers of visitors during the summer months^[12]. Other examples include where island communities host specific events, for example the Tiree Music Festival, where the number of attendees is three times the population of the island ^[13].

The use of reusable beverage cups by visitors to islands is not known. Assuming visitors to the islands are less likely to have a reusable cup with them and they are more likely to use hospitality businesses, net proceeds raised from a charge on single-use disposable beverage cups could be invested in environmental causes within island communities, providing a positive impact to those communities.

Little is known about the number of single-use disposable beverage cups used in these island locations, and how any potential impacts from their use differ significantly from the mainland. Given this, we intend to engage with island community representatives during the consultation period.

Waste management

Islands communities face unique challenges around waste management due to logistical issues and the increased distances involved. As the aim of the policy is to reduce the number of single-use disposable beverage cups, any reduction in these items, and the amount of litter they cause, has the potential to reduce island waste management costs. Particularly if this requires waste to be shipped off the island for disposal elsewhere. The total potential savings are uncertain and potentially marginal but there is the potential for there to be a positive waste management island impact via this proposed policy.