A new report suggests that the U.K. government should introduce a fee for disposable cups to tackle the large number of single-use cups used each year, which contribute to litter and raise waste management costs. Around 2.5 billion disposable cups are used annually in the U.K., but less than 1% are recycled. A study by researchers from the Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Bath, Oxford Brookes University, and the University of Sheffield found that 92% of customers are unsure if they are charged for a disposable cup when they buy a drink. This lack of clarity may prevent people from realizing they are paying for single-use packaging or understanding they could save money by using a reusable cup instead. Charges for disposable cups currently vary between cafes and retailers and are often not clearly stated at the point of purchase. Dr. Kate Whitman, lead researcher from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, explained that millions of disposable cups are used every year, but most are not recyclable. While some cafes offer discounts for using reusable cups, these incentives are inconsistent and often not visible to customers. She said that a clear, uniform charge for disposable cups could help shift consumer behavior by making the cost of single-use packaging more apparent. This would encourage people to choose reusable alternatives, saving money and reducing waste. The policy brief recommends that the charge be clearly displayed at the point of purchase and separately itemized on receipts and digital orders. Consumers should be able to avoid the charge entirely by using reusable cups or dishes. The report is based on research that looked at how people respond to cup charges and what stops them from switching to reusable options. The study included a field experiment in three university cafes, customer surveys, consumer interviews, and discussions with experts in policy, retail, and behavioral science. The researchers found that making the cost of a disposable cup clear can influence people to make more environmentally friendly choices. They argue that a visible and consistent charge is more effective than a voluntary or variable one. A national framework for cup charges could help expand reuse systems, such as customers bringing their own cups, cafes offering returnable cup schemes, and shared washing systems across multiple retailers. Disposable cups also add to the burden on public services. In England, they make up about 8% of litter by volume, increasing costs for street cleaning and waste management. Reducing the use of disposable cups could lead to cleaner public spaces and reduce pressure on local government budgets. Dr. Whitman emphasized the need for a consistent system that works for both consumers and businesses. A clear charge would give people the same message wherever they buy a takeaway drink, while helping businesses understand the rules and invest in reusable cup systems. The push for such a policy is already gaining momentum. The Scottish Government has committed to introducing a charge on single-use cups, and the European Union’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation focuses on reducing packaging waste and increasing reuse. A unified approach across the U.K. would make it easier for businesses operating across borders and encourage investment in reusable products, washing facilities, and the infrastructure needed to support large-scale reuse.