As with the introduction of a charge for carrier bags – Ireland now seems set to become the first nation to introduce the single cup levy. A recent consultation closed on Friday 25 November.
The Vending & Automated Retail Association (AVA) has argued for exemption of vending and automated retail for a variety of reasons, including:
- Nearly 70% of all vending (and tabletop) hot beverage machines are free vend and have no way of charging a consumer for a cup at point of dispense.
- The RIA studied impact on retail at €2 or more. The average vended price of a hot drinks is 46c therefore a 20c levy would be an unfair imposition in vending.
- As a result of previous lobbying work by the AVA and the EVA, vending is already considered a ‘special case’ (RIA document page 47).
To read the AVA’s full submission, head to HERE
The Irish Government consultation documents can also be found here:
