Following the Starbucks paper cup incident, the British ambassador called for a "disposable paper cup tax".

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Noting that about 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away in the UK each year, a British parliamentary committee is calling for a tax of 25p (about $0.34) (about 2.50 yuan) on disposable coffee cups.

In a 37-page report on disposable coffee cups, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee also recommended that the use of disposable paper cups be banned completely by 2023, if not all recycled.

"most people mistakenly think that this disposable cup is widely recycled and discarded into roadside recycling bins." In fact, less than 4 cups (0.25%) are recycled, the committee wrote. This confusion among consumers shows that retailers are not clear about the consumers of coffee cups. "

In 2015, the committee compared the "latte levy" to a five-penny tax on disposable plastic bags in 2015, resulting in an 83% reduction in plastic bags in one year. "just as people now often carry household items to avoid the cost of 5p bags, we have heard that sometimes people can plan ahead, such as bringing reusable cups on the way to work or throughout the workday. Coffee is more accustomed to buying coffee than impulsive," the team wrote.

Of course, such a tax on coffee cups would have a huge impact in the growing British coffee industry, from paper manufacturers to the smallest independent coffee suppliers. A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said it planned to "carefully consider the committee's recommendations and respond as soon as possible," Reuters reported.

Some of Britain's largest coffee retailers, including Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Pret a Manger, say they have brought discounts on their own reusable cup takeout (aka) orders. However, recent reports show that such discounts actually have no impact, and costs have proved to be more effective in changing consumer behaviour.

"some cup manufacturers and coffee shops have made voluntary commitments

Recycle coffee cups. However, commitments are inconsistent and lack of quantifiable goals and structures. "there is no excuse for the reluctance of the government and the industry to deal with the waste of coffee cups," the committee wrote. " The committee recommended the use of latte revenues to improve and expand the recovery and waste treatment infrastructure.

The article is from Daliy Coffee News.