Can you spare 20 minutes before Christmas? Tell Scotland not to ban compostable food containers in its single-use plastics consultation.

Scotland is going further than the EU, proposing a ban on almost all food containers, including bio-based and compostable products.

Have your say by 4th January

We have written some guide answers for anyone to use, and add their own info to.

Use this link to complete the Scottish Government’s online form. It should take about 20 minutes. Every response counts and will help shape Scottish policy. Do it ASAP, ideally before Christmas – it closes on 4^th January 2021.

Open our guide answers here – click on the file name to open in a new tab, or download with the button:

Our guide answers support a shift to reuse, but propose allowing bio-based compostable foodservice disposables as an alternative where reusables are not economic, practical or hygienic.

Why is it important?

The EU Single Use Plastics Directive encourages member states to ban plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers and plates, as well as oxo-degradable items and expanded polystyrene containers. Scotland is proposing a ban on not only 100% plastic cutlery, straws and plates, but possibly all plates, trays, platters and bowls with any plastic coating or window – including bio-based and compostable materials.

This could therefore ban virtually all single-use food containers from late 2021, other than 100% fibre items such as bagasse clamshells and plates. This would mean no sealable or transparent disposables, with knock-on business effects for takeaway, delivery and grab and go.

This would have a major economic impact on food businesses, just when the sector is already fighting to survive.

EU member states have until July 2021 to put the Directive’s aims into their national law. Scotland’s policy decision will be clear by next summer, but now is the time to have your say.

Thank you for taking part! Encourage other friends and colleagues to do it too.