Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a deposit return schemes for coffee cups and other beverage containers; and his plans to ban single-use coffee cups. [50957/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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For now, my plans to introduce a deposit return scheme are focused on plastic beverage bottles and aluminium drinks cans only. The scheme will go-live in February 2024.

In the hot drinks sector, many retailers have already introduced voluntary deposit return schemes for coffee cups. This is an encouraging industry-led response to the creation of this unnecessary waste stream.

I am continuing to progress my plans to introduce a levy on single-use disposable cups which will incentivise people to choose reusables. The levy approach was developed on foot of extensive engagement and consultation, including a Regulatory Impact Assessment published by my department in October 2022.

Our national policy document 'A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025' includes a commitment for an eventual ban of disposable beverage cups.