Draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products and Oxo-degradable Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021: discussion paper

Closed 13 Apr 2021

Opened 17 Mar 2021

Contact

supd@gov.scot

Feedback updated 11 Jul 2022

We asked

We sought views and comments from stakeholders and the general public on the draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products and Oxo-degradable Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations to inform our work on finalising the Regulations.

You said

Various helpful views on the draft Regulations were provided. This included the request that single-use plastic trays and platters not be included under the provision to ban the supply and manufacture, in the course of a business, of single-use plastic plates as this could lead to confusion for businesses and consumers.

We did

Single-use plastic trays and platters were removed from the final version of the Regulations and the requirement for any action to be taken on these products will be considered during work to reduce consumption of single-use plastic food containers, in line with Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament.

Overview

We are seeking views and comments from stakeholders and the general public on the draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products and Oxo-degradable Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations to inform our work on finalising the regulations.

Why we are engaging

These regulations propose introducing market restrictions – effectively a ban – for problematic single-use plastic (SUP) items and all oxo-degradable products in line with Article 5 of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904 .

The responses received will help shape the final regulations that will support the Scottish Government in its work to reduce marine litter and support a shift away from our throwaway culture.

Read the discussion paper and draft regulations. 

We have previously consulted on this subject and the opinions provided have informed our work on the draft regulations. You can find the original consultation paper, responses and an independent analysis report in the Introducing market restrictions on single-use plastic items in Scotland consultation.

What happens next

Responses to this discussion paper will be used to inform the final regulations that will come into force later in the year.

Interests

  • Environment and Climate Change