The final new petition for consideration is PE1755, on banning all single-use plastics across Scotland, which was lodged by Stephen Henry.
Our briefing on the petition explains that in 2018, the Scottish Government appointed an expert panel on environmental charging and other measures to provide advice to ministers on measures that may be adopted to help us move towards a circular economy. It focuses on single-use items and was initially tasked with looking at disposable cups.
The panel’s initial report in July 2019 recommended a mandatory charge for single-use disposable beverage cups in combination with ambitious targets for reducing their consumption and concerted action at national and local level to tackle Scotland’s throwaway culture, including social marketing measures to raise awareness.
The briefing also highlights that the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee is considering PE1636, which calls on the Scottish Government to introduce legislation requiring that all single-use drinks cups be 100 per cent biodegradable, and that it will take into account the report of the expert panel on environmental charging and other measures.
I understand that when it considered PE1636 last month, the ECCLR Committee agreed to keep it open and to use the petitioner’s asks to inform its scrutiny of the proposed circular economy bill, which is intended to encourage the reuse of products and reduce waste.
I am encouraged that another committee has looked at that petition ahead of our consideration of this one. That is an interesting and useful step in ensuring that petitions are fully considered—and not just by this committee. Do members have any comments or suggestions for action?