Single-use coffee cups to be hit with 20c levy ‘later this year’

Circular economy legislation will also promote use of CCTV to combat fly tipping.    A 20c levy on disposable coffee cups is expected to come into effect by the fourth quarter of this year, according to Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Ossian Smyth.

Levies against a range of single-use items will be charged under legislation approved by cabinet on Tuesday. The law will also see the increased use of CCTV to combat fly tipping, among other environmental measures.

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Mr Smyth said the aim of the disposable cup levy was not to raise money but to change consumer habits.

“I am hoping that there a reduction [in use of single-use cups] that people will switch. The levy is going to be 20c for a start.”  

​The environmental levies on the single-use items will be ringfenced and put into a circular economy fund - and the rate of the levy will be set out in regulations after the bill is passed later this year.

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