FDBusiness.com

The UK Government’s environment minister, Theresa Coffey, has indicated that a 5p levy on coffee cups proposed by the Liberal Democrats would not be implemented, saying that coffee chains are “already doing enough” to combat waste.

Although the Lib Dems had suggested that a charge would result in over 2 billion fewer cups in the UK, such a levy is not on the agenda of the Conservative government. Writing to MEP Catherine Bearder, Coffey indicated that many chains are already taking appropriate action on the issue.

The move was welcomed by the Foodservice Packaging Association. Executive director Martin Kersh said: “This is a good call from the minister and shows she is listening to the industry, which has responded to the call for increased recovery and recycling of cups by coming together and pledging to make a significant difference by 2020.  We are making good progress and there is a lot happening both in terms of research and action.

“The industry is working on improving recovery and recycling along the supply chain but it’s a complex scenario, not least because the UK waste management infrastructure has changed little in recent decades and has not moved with the needs of society. We live in a 24/7 culture that is time poor and by necessity driven by convenience.  We are working hard to find solutions but safe, economically viable and sustainable answers won’t be found overnight.”