Ireland to impose latte-levy by 2021 to reduce single-use plastic cups

Ireland has announced that it will incorporate the so-called "latte levy" on disposable coffee cups by 2021 in an attempt to change consumer habits and cut the environmental impact from the use of single-use plastics, according to its minister of climate action on November 6. Ireland has shown concerns to take action to cut environmental impacts after exceeding its annual greenhouse gas emissions for the third year in a row, violating its European Union-mandated commitments.

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The charge is being imposed to encourage customers

The government aims that the proposed tax of up to 0.25 euros per cup will encourage coffee drinkers to instead carry around reusable cups which already allows customers to avail discounts in some selected coffee points. The charge is being imposed to encourage customers to follow sustainable development measures. Ireland first introduced a tax on plastic bags in 2002.
Richard Bruton, the climate action minister said that they have to strictly cut down single-use disposables. He said they will try to convince people to change their for a lifestyle.

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  200 million single-use coffee cups are thrown away every year by Ireland

Up to 200 million single-use coffee cups are thrown away every year by Ireland's 4.9 million people, according to the reports. Britain has also taken steps to impose a similar levy on single-use coffee cups last year opting instead to reduce the use of the cups through voluntary measures. A cup of coffee in Ireland is expected to cost about 3 euros. Compostable cups that are made from biodegradable materials will also be hit by the levy. The government is planning to develop the second phase of levies from 2022,  focused on take-away food containers, and a third phase will be aimed to address food packaging in retail outlets including for bakery items, fruit, and vegetables.

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