Tories lambasted for rejecting 'latte levy' on takeaway coffee cups

Ministers have rejected calls for a “latte levy” on takeaway coffee cups to reduce the amount of waste they create.

Mary Creagh, the chair of the environmental audit committee, accused the government of talking warm words but taking no action after ministers refused to adopt a charge on throwaway coffee cups similar to the plastic bag levy.

It comes after the environment secretary, Michael Gove, again failed to act to introduce a plastic bottle deposit scheme, despite Theresa May’s pledge that she was declaring war on single-use plastic and considering policies including a tax on takeaway containers.

Publishing the government’s response to her committee’s call for a 25p levy on takeaway coffee cups, Creagh, a Labour MP, said: “The UK’s throwaway culture is having a devastating impact on our streets, beaches and seas. Our report recommended practical solutions to the disposable packaging crisis. The government’s response shows that despite warm words they plan no real action.”

Source: theguardian