Consumers should face a mandatory 20p charge for single-use cups under proposals aimed at cutting waste and encouraging people to switch to reusable alternatives.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute believe a standardised charge would make the cost of disposable cups more visible and give consumers a clearer financial incentive to bring their own.
Around 2.5 billion single-use cups are used in the UK each year, according to the policy brief, but fewer than 1% are recycled.
The theory is that the charge would be separate from the price of a drink and clearly displayed at the point of purchase. Customers bringing their own reusable cup, or opting to use crockery, would avoid the charge.
The researchers say existing voluntary charges and discounts are inconsistent and often poorly communicated. Their research found that 92% of consumers were unsure whether they were being charged for a single-use cup when making a purchase.
Lead researcher Dr Kate Whitman, Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘We use millions of disposable cups every year. Customers tend to believe they are recyclable, but the truth is that they very rarely are. Whilst many cafes offer discounts to use reusable cups, these vary between retailers and are often not visible at the point of purchase. The default choice is often a disposable cup, and a clear, memorable charge will help to change that. By giving customers the information, they need to save money by using reusable alternatives, we can also reduce harmful waste.’
The policy brief points to the success of the single-use carrier bag charge as evidence that a small, mandatory and widely applied charge can influence consumer behaviour.
The proposal comes amid concerns over the environmental impact of disposable cups. The researchers say single-use cups account for around 8% of litter by volume in England, creating additional costs for street cleaning and waste collection.
The policy brief also calls for governments to establish a baseline of current charging practices and monitor the impact of any new rules, including whether they lead to greater use of reusable cups.
The researchers say the aim is not simply to make takeaway drinks more expensive, but to make the disposable option visibly avoidable by giving consumers a clear choice.
Dr Whitman said: ‘This is about creating a consistent system that works for consumers and businesses. A clear charge would give people the same message wherever they buy a takeaway drink, while giving businesses greater certainty about the rules and creating stronger conditions for investment and innovation in reusable cup systems.
‘We already know that a small, visible charge can change behaviour through the experience of single-use carrier bag charges. Applying the same principle to cups could help make reuse a more normal part of everyday life and support the UK’s wider move towards preventing waste rather than simply managing it.’
Photo: Barnaby Woodrow