It's time to put a tax on plastic

Has the time come for a levy on take-away coffee cups? We’re all familiar with littering caused by these cups and a regular reader gives a classic example: “Recently, I was driving from Killarney to Cork and was very impressed at the spotless condition of the roadside. There was a general clean-up in progress for some time.

I was following a white van for some miles and, as I approached Ballyvourney, was disgusted to see the passenger chucking a cup and lid out the window on the Cork side of the county bounds

“I have travelled the same road several times since and it is remarkable just how many people have chucked out used takeaway cups and lids to destroy the good work of the picker uppers.”

An astounding 200m plastic cups of this type are used in Ireland each year, according to a government recycling report. As much of the coffee is consumed on the go, the cups end up in litter bins or on the street. Research in the UK shows only one in 400 of these cups is recycled and the situation is probably much the same here.

The EU plans to ban single-use plastics, including disposable cups, by 2030. That’s a long time away when you think of the billions of plastic items that will be used and dumped in various places, not least the plastic-saturated oceans, in the next 11 years.

In 2002, Ireland showed the way to other countries by introducing a highly successful plastic bag levy, which has resulted in a 90% drop in usage of these bags. Now, a west Cork reader, Kevin Nagle, is suggesting a 20 cent levy on every plastic cup, or paper cup lined with plastic, and another 20 cents on each lid.

The charge could be levied at point of sale, but there should be no charge if the customer brings back a used cup and used lid, he adds. Ideas which would surely be supported by many people.

We put Kevin’s suggestion to the Department of Communications, Climate Action, and Environment. A spokesman said they are currently looking at a number of possible environmental levies, but more research will be needed before any new levy comes.

Minister Richard Bruton is to consider a review in the coming weeks. They are reviewing the best way to reach a 90% collection target for beverage containers, after which the minister will announce necessary actions.

The purchase of single-use plastic cups, cutlery, and straws across all government departments and bodies has already been banned and the Government is backing new EU legislation which will ban straws, cotton bud sticks made from plastic, plastic plates and cutlery, plastic coffee stirrers, and plastic balloon holders.