LIMERICK City and County Council has launched Ireland’s first deposit and return scheme for hot beverage cup.
The 2GoCup waste prevention initiative is being used in the council’s Nourish canteen at Merchant’s Quay and another MasterChef premises in Mary Immaculate College along with Abbey River Coffee and the Green Onion Café on Rutland Street.
Each 2GoCup lasts a minimum of three years if it is used every day. That’s the potential to save millions of single-use cups by simply switching to a 2GoCup.
The Council says the initiative is simple and easy to work. You just order your hot drink to go, then pay a €1 deposit for your 2GoCup and return the 2GoCup for your €1 back or a fresh 2GoCup.
Upon your first deposit, you receive a reusable lid. Keep your lid for reuse. It is the same cost as using a single-use disposable cup, but is a much better alternative to a single-use cup for the environment.
“It is wonderful to see Limerick cafes taking on board the 2GoCup option as an alternative to the single-use disposable beverage cup. I would encourage as many people as possible to use a reusable cup/ travel mug or a 2GoCup to help prevent litter and waste,” said Council Environmental Awareness Officer, Sinead McDonnell.
“Many people say: What about recyclable or compostable cups? But these are still single-use cups and unfortunately due to the collection system in place, Ireland cannot recycle single-use cups so they end up as waste.
“Compostable cups must make it into a brown bin to be composted. Many end up in the wrong bin or on the side of the road or hedgerow.”
For more details log onto https://www.2gocup.ie/find-us-here.
