NHS Scotland buys 189m single-use plastic cups

Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives has revealed that over 189 million single-use plastic cups have been bought by the NHS in Scotland over the past five years.

Raising questions over the Scottish government’s credentials on tackling plastic waste, the figures translate to health boards in Scotland buying plastic cups the equivalent of once every second, emphasising the current ‘throwaway culture’ plaguing society.

The cost of the plastic cups has amounted to £1.7 million since 2014 in the NHS, although the number of cups bought has remained roughly the same each year, with 38.6 million purchased last year alone.

Zero Waste Scotland is already working with NHS chiefs to address the problem in hospitals, with a scheme set for further roll-out to tackle the issue.