CSNA Members will be familiar that a proposal by Minister Eamonn Ryan that as part of the circular economy plans to reduce single use products a Levy on disposable cups should be considered.

Retailers had voluntarily (at not inconsiderable expense) already moved away from plastic cups in favour of compostable cups.

Levies

This was done on the understanding that this move was not only environmentally friendly, it would also avoid any levies being placed on these products.

When Minister Ryan and his Department commenced to put in place a “Latte Levy” there was a backlash against the move.

A report commissioned by a lobbying body of which CSNA are co-founders made scientific and economic arguments against the Levy, and it failed to proceed.

In recent weeks, the CSNA became aware that the Department had engaged a firm to assist them in contacting, in a haphazard and random fashion, a number of bodies and companies that would be affected by a new Levy.

The previous Levy was to be initiated by the retailer to any customer who bought a hot beverage that was served in a single-use cup.

While the Department suggested it was modelled on the lines of the plastic bag Levy in that it was operated via Revenue and noted on receipts to the end user, the truth is that the sales of products contained in plastic bags were not threatened, unlike the very real concerns most retailers had for their coffee and other hot drink sales.

This new suggestion is radically different- it is suggested that your supplier will charge you 20 cent for every cup you buy from them and that you are free to pass on that charge if you choose.

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