Advice for business
The ban means it is unlawful to make and supply commercially any of the following single-use plastic items unless an exemption applies:
- cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks and other similar utensils)
- plates
- beverage stirrers
- food containers made of expanded polystyrene
- cups made of expanded polystyrene
The regulations also make it unlawful to supply commercially:
- plastic straws
- plastic balloon sticks
These items are subject to exemptions which allow them to be supplied in particular settings and circumstances.
The restrictions apply to both online and in-store sales, whether they are free or charged for.
Single-use plastic straw and balloon stick exemptions
Switching to single-use plastic substitutes
When switching to single-use plastic substitutes, businesses should consider:
- banning single-use plastic items can be a big win for some environmental impacts, such as the marine environment
- simply switching to other single-use items made of alternative materials can lead to other environmental impacts
- how reusables could fit into their operations, and where this is not possible, ensure that single-use substitutes are carefully considered
Zero Waste Scotland provides advice to businesses to make more sustainable choices and move away from single-use plastics.
View the advice for businesses
Business owners should check with their Business Waste Collection Provider for advice on recycling banned single-use plastic using their current collection system.
Our Business Waste Collection customers should email business.waste@highland.gov.uk for advice.
Enforcement
We are responsible for enforcement.
For any queries or complaints about a:
- food premises, report an Environmental Health Concern
- wholesale or non-food retail call: 0808 8009060