Today the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) released their report detailing recommendations for addressing concerns around the increasing use of disposable coffee cups.
Following on from their report on plastic bottles at the end of 2017, the EAC have now called on the Government to introduce a 25p tax, with the aim of recycling 100% of coffee cups by 2023. They have also suggested that if the target is not achieved, all disposable coffee cups should be banned by the Government.
Compelling evidence about the problem
According to evidence heard by the panel in October 2017, 2.5 billion coffee cups are disposed of each year and less than 1% are recycled. The EAC also report that around half a million cups are littered each year.
Ecosurety Policy manager, Robbie Staniforth commented: “It’s great to hear a call for drastic action, and frankly, to see environmental issues in mainstream media. What’s disappointing though is how they have looked for the simplest solution, rather than the best.
The coffee cup issue should not just be a headline grabber
“We agree with, and in fact have been calling for, the funds raised from producers to be linked with developing recycling infrastructure, innovation and awareness. However, let’s not just look at the minutia of coffee cups as their environmental footprint is tiny! The Government are in the process of reviewing the whole producer responsibility system for packaging. The coffee cups issue should fit into a much wider framework and not just be a headline grabber with its own separate system.”
The committee have linked the reason for recommending the 25p levy to the success of the single-use plastic bag charge, which they say has “reduced plastic bag use by over 83% in the first year”.
However, Robbie continued: “You’re not comparing apples with apples. The difference between carrying a re-usable cup wherever you go in case you want a coffee versus a reusable shopping bag for when you go to buy groceries is vast. The levy won’t be enough to make people switch to a reusable cup so we’re simply looking at driving revenue to improve recycling, which should be part of a much wider scheme.”
The Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have two months to respond to the recommendations.
You can view an interactive report here.
Karen Balmforth
Office administrator
Karen is responsible for ensuring the effective running of the office and coordinates our company events and team away days. With a focus on systems and processes, Karen provides core administration support for the team. Karen has a passion for sustainability and in our recent office move to Bristol city centre Karen repurposed all of our office furniture and stationery to charities, schools, voluntary groups, and other not-for-profit good causes.
Useful links
The Q4 verified recycling figures released by the Environment Agency indicate a reasonably performing quarter and a strong year overall for 2023.
Read More >>Amendments to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging data regulations are currently moving through parliament, ready to be passed by the end of March.
Read More >>The Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) FlexCollect project has released an interim report showcasing the early insights from the seven local authorities currently running flexible plastic kerbside collection pilots, covering nearly 30,000 households from across the UK.
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