News
Big support for coffee cup charges in Scotland
A YouGov survey for the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has revealed that 72% of people in Scotland would support a charge on single use coffee cups.
The poll asked people if they would support paying a deposit on disposable coffee cups to encourage the use of refillable cups or cups being returned for recycling. Only 8% of responders opposed such charges. Across Britain as a whole, support was even higher at 74%. In addition, 70% of people surveyed supported a ban on the use of polystyrene food containers and cups, with most support coming from those aged 55 or over.
At the recent Scottish Resources Conference, Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, told delegates that the case for a deposit return system on beverage containers had been made and that the Scottish Government would now be looking at other financial incentives such as a charge on single-use coffee cups.
Calum Duncan, MCS Head of Conservation Scotland, says this is good news, hot on the heels of the recent announcement by the Scottish Government to introduce a deposit return system for drinks containers.
“MCS wants to see a reduction in all litter items, particularly disposable single-use items like coffee cups, as there are so many easy alternatives. As the environmental toll of litter on our seas grows, we need progressive measures that discourage the throwaway mindset whilst encouraging simple positive actions like using re-fillable ‘on-the-go’ coffee cups and drinks bottles.”
MCS Basking Shark Species Champion and MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Stuart McMillan, agrees that the success of the carrier bag charge over the past three years proves that a similar tax on single-use cups could be worthwhile.
“As we look to move away from our throw-away culture which is, ultimately, not sustainable, I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is further investing in ways to tackle single-use products usage. Although we have made steady progress on recycling, the pace with which these improvements are happening must be increased,” said Mr McMillan.
Across the UK in 2015 there were, on average, 11 plastic bags per 100 metres of coastline cleaned during the MCS Great British Beach Clean, but in 2016 there were just under seven – that’s a decrease of almost 40% and the lowest number in the last ten years.
Find out more at www.mcsuk.org.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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