Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
115. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a deposit return schemes for coffee cups and other beverage containers; and his plans to ban single-use coffee cups. [50957/23]
View answerFor now, my plans to introduce a deposit return scheme are focused on plastic beverage bottles and aluminium drinks cans only. The scheme will go-live in February 2024.
In the hot drinks sector, many retailers have already introduced voluntary deposit return schemes for coffee cups. This is an encouraging industry-led response to the creation of this unnecessary waste stream.
I am continuing to progress my plans to introduce a levy on single-use disposable cups which will incentivise people to choose reusables. The levy approach was developed on foot of extensive engagement and consultation, including a Regulatory Impact Assessment published by my department in October 2022.
Our national policy document 'A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025' includes a commitment for an eventual ban of disposable beverage cups.
