‘Latte levy’ set to take effect as Ireland plans to ban disposable cups

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Disposable coffee cups are set to be banned in Ireland as new laws come into force clamping down on single-use plastics.

In a move that will be carefully watched by Whitehall officials, a so-called “latte levy” will come into force “as early as possible” in the new year.

The tax will start at 20 cents and could rise to €1 under new laws agreed earlier this year. The crackdown puts Ireland on the path to outlawing single-use coffee cups by 2026.

Britain has so far refrained proposing an outright ban on coffee cups.

The Government consulted on plans to ban single-use plastic plates, cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups and food and beverage containers in England. Officials are now reviewing responses to the consultation, which closed in February.

The reforms in Ireland are part of the country’s Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act that was signed into law this summer.

A spokesman for Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said: “The levy regulations will be signed as early as possible in the new year. A transitional period will be provided to allow appropriate arrangements to be made before the levy is applied.

“People can avoid the levy entirely by simply using a reusable cup. In fact, the proposed levy on single-use disposable hot drink cups is being proceeded with first, on the basis that they are a single-use item for which a suitable, affordable, re-usable alternative – i.e. reusable cups – is already widely available in the market and is in use by both consumers and vendors.”

A spokesman for the UK Government said: "Having already banned single-use straws, stirrers and cotton buds and ended the sale of billions of single-use bags with our plastic bag charge, we will be responding soon to a consultation on further bans of plastic plates, cutlery, balloon sticks and certain polystyrene cups.

“We have also called for evidence to address other sources of plastic pollution. This asked for views on tackling commonly littered plastics such as wet wipes, tobacco filters, sachets, cigarette filters and single-use cups.”

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