EnvironmentUK: Regulation for Single-use Plastic Products in Scotland

UK published The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021

The Regulations will introduce market restrictions for single-use plastic (SUP) items in order to prevent and reduce the impact on the environment, in particular the aquatic environment, and human health. The Regulations ban the supply, in the course of business, and the manufacture of SUP products including, inter alia, SUP cutlery, plates and beverage stirrers. The regulations ban the supply, in the course of business and subject to specified exemptions, of SUP plastic straws and balloon sticks. The Regulations extend to Scotland only.

In scope of the regulation are:

• single-use plastic expanded polystyrene beverage cups
• single-use plastic expanded polystyrene beverage containers
• single-use plastic expanded polystyrene food containers
• single-use plastic cutlery
• single-use plastic plates
• single-use plastic beverage stirrers
• single-use plastic straws, and
• single-use plastic balloon sticks.

The Regulations will come in force into force on 1 June 2022.