Defra Cancels Mandatory Takeback Scheme for Single-Use Cups
On 5 December 2024, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) made the decision to scrap its previously proposed mandatory takeback scheme for single-use cups in England. The government announced that, after extensive analysis, the scheme would not achieve its intended goals of significantly increasing recycling rates or reducing litter.
Cost and Practicality Concerns
The plans for this scheme were inherited by the current Labour government from the previous Conservative administration. According to Defra, the initiative was estimated to cost both the government and industry a total of £52 million—an expense they deemed an “unnecessary burden” on businesses.
A spokesperson from Defra explained that the decision was part of a broader effort to address waste management and environmental issues, saying: “This government is committed to ending the throwaway culture and transitioning towards a future where resources are reused for longer, and waste is minimised, all while accelerating progress towards net zero.”
A Shift Toward Collaborative Solutions
With the cancellation of the scheme, responsibility for improving single-use cup recycling will now return to businesses and the waste industry. The department emphasised that, instead of a mandatory approach, the focus would shift to encouraging businesses and the waste sector to collaborate on innovative solutions. These solutions would aim to enhance recycling rates, drive forward a more sustainable approach, and build on the progress made in recent years.
The spokesperson continued: “This decision allows businesses to concentrate on implementing our other packaging and collection reforms. These initiatives are expected to support 21,000 jobs and stimulate more than £10 billion in investment in recycling capabilities over the next decade.”
This shift in strategy highlights the importance of a more adaptable, industry-led approach, aimed at advancing a circular economy and fostering sustainability within communities.