Latte levy
As of 2022, Ireland will impose a “latte levy” of EUR 0.25 cent on single-use coffee cups, including compostable cups. The income raised from the scheme will support the development of reuse systems.
In the longer term, additional environmental levies will also be imposed for cold drinks and other single-use plastic containers.
In the meantime, Ireland has committed to the following proposals:
- Trialling a total elimination of disposable coffee cups in selected towns, higher education institutions and other transport/commercial centres.
- Introducing measures to ban unnecessary use of disposable coffee cups (such as in sit-in cafes) and to oblige retailers to offer a discount to consumers who use reusable cups.
- Education and awareness programmes.
- An eventual full ban on disposable cups.