On the 1st of June 2022, Scotland became the first UK nation to ban a group of single-use plastics. How did it happen, and what comes next?
What does the ban mean?
The Single Use Plastics (SUP) ban now means it is unlawful to make and commercially supply: plastic cutlery, plates, beverage stirrers, food containers, and cups and lids made of expanded polystyrene. However, those who need access to single-use plastic straws for either medical purposes or to be able to eat and drink independently will still be able to buy these at pharmacies or access them at catering establishments.
These items were selected to keep Scotland’s legislation aligned with the items chosen for inclusion in the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) as the most commonly found items of European marine and beach litter.
As of 12 August 2022, the SUP ban has been exempted from the Internal Market Act (IMA). This means that the SUP products mentioned in the ban will not be allowed for sale or supply in Scotland even if they originate from, or were to be supplied to, another part of the UK.
Short-term gain, long-term pain
Image: “Throwaway Living” (LIFE Magazine cover, 1955).
Our ‘throwaway’ culture has led to plastic pollution that harms our health, wildlife, and the environment. The associated take-make-dispose linear economy is the root cause of many of today’s most challenging issues. The SUP ban, therefore, goes some way to prevent the frivolous practice of discarding a long-lasting material that is used only for a few seconds. However, the Scottish Government recognises that much more must be done to create a circular economy. We need to move beyond the philosophy of single-use altogether.
Regrettable substitution
There is a risk when banning harmful substances or items that they will be replaced with new ones that are also harmful,
in a ‘regrettable substitution’. As awareness of the harm of plastic littering has increased, SUP has been substituted with other single use materials and items, such as paper and board, or compostable materials. Often these replacements seem
to be more environmentally and human health friendly, breaking down easily if lost to the environment, or easily recycled
in suitable systems. However, these materials have often been found to have harmful chemicals added to them in order
to perform well, such as paper being grease-proof. Of particular concern is the use of a group of almost 5000 chemicals called PFAS (per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) which are used in paper and board, and compostable food packaging[i]. To avoid such regrettable substitutions, reuseables may be the way we should be heading.
Choose to Reuse
A staggering 10.7 billion pieces of single-use packaging were produced for lunch on-the-go items in 2019[ii]. A new report by Hubbub, a UK charity focused on offering practical and realistic solutions to environmental problems, has highlighted ten recommendations to help reuse systems in the food sector set up and scale. Results from interviews revealed that 73% of people think it should be easier to choose reusable alternatives to single-use food and drink packaging.
Reuse and refill systems are not new, they were in use long before disposable plastic became the norm. While lifestyles have changed and single-use disposable items have become styled as more convenient, many reuse and refill systems are still around and new ones are being developed to replace our single-use habits.
Reusable products or packages need to be designed to be repeatedly reused for the same purpose for which they were created. Examples of reusable systems include a refill station in your local supermarket for shampoo or an app that rewards you when you fill your water bottle rather than buying a disposable one. You can find a “Living Landscape of Reusable Solution” Database here, a regularly updated global list of for-profit and non-profit programs, campaigns and products that work to eliminate plastic waste by providing reusable solutions – lots of inspiration!
The SUP ban is an important step to effect behavioural change in the public on a national scale, yet the critical point will be an economical one. A reuse system needs to make economic sense to the company to transition to reusable and refillable packaging over single-use.
However don’t forget, we can help demonstrate a public appeal for a reuse revolution by taking along our Tupperwares and tubs with us – supporting the circular economy is the perfect excuse for a takeaway!
[i] Reuse Systems Unpacked | Hubbub Foundation
[ii] Fidra (2020) Forever chemicals in the food aisle.
Tags: #Contamination, Chemical Pollution, Environment, PFAS, reuseable containers, single use plastics