The UK government has cancelled plans to proceed with a takeback scheme for single-use cups.
Announced by Boris Johnson’s Conservative government in November 2021, the plan was part of a broader initiative to reduce waste and promote recycling as outlined in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
The proposed scheme aimed to incentivize the collection and recycling of single-use cups by placing more responsibility on producers to ensure their products are managed properly at the end of their life cycle.
A Defra spokesperson said: “Analysis has shown the mandatory takeback scheme for cups proposed by the previous Government would not have the intended impact on boosting recycling rates and reducing litter. It would cost £52 million to the government and industry, placing unnecessary burdens on business.
“This decision will allow businesses to focus on implementing our other collection and packaging reforms, which will support 21,000 jobs and stimulate more than £10 billion of investment in recycling capability during the next decade.”
Commenting on this development, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, a Reconomy brand, said: “With more than 3 billion cups going to waste every year, according to research by Reconomy, and the current legislative landscape being fragmented, we had been anticipating the planned introduction of the mandatory takeback scheme to boost the recycling rates of cups and reduce waste.
“This announcement is therefore somewhat surprising, and we look forward to engaging with DEFRA to understand their analysis that led to this decision.
“Given this policy isn’t going to progress, the responsibility will now fall back to businesses and the waste industry who will need to work more closely together to come up with innovative solutions to build on the industry’s progress to date, lift recycling rates and create a more circular and sustainable future for our communities.”
