The plague in Ireland of throw away single use coffee cups with separate plastic lids and increasing unrecycylable waste and litter, is sent to continue.

Environment Minister Denis Naughten has copped out on effective action which requires ending throw away containers and promoting carry around personal permanent use cups.

Instead the Minister’s proposal is the have "Biodegradable" cups. This does nothing to address the resource waste of single use containers. It means perpetuating of a continuing waste mountain. Without a levy, the littering of the country will continue, if not worsen.

“Biodegradable“ breakdown is only effective in controlled waste management conditions. Cups and lids, even if placed in litter bins, let alone flung across the countryside and getting into the marine environment will continue to have a long term impact.

Cafes and shops providing take away cups and the service providers involved will continue to evade responsibility for the waste and litter they create.

However, An Taisce does recognise that the Minister is considering levies on many single use plastic items, including non-recylable cups. Does he realise that biodegradable cups are not recyclable.

Ends

For further information, contact:
Ian Lumley, An Taisce Advocacy Officer: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

Notes

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.