Connect with us

News

Concerns over future of Coffee Cup project

Published

on

Support for the Killarney Coffee Cup project has fallen, raising questions about how the scheme can continue without help from the Government.

Recent figures from IBAL, published this week, show that a number of businesses are no longer taking part.

Both Irish Business Against Litter and Killarney Chamber of Commerce say a national levy on disposable coffee cups is now needed.

They want a charge similar to the plastic bag levy to encourage customers to use reusable cups.

The Coffee Cup project was started in July 2023 with the aim of making Killarney the first town in Ireland to be free of single-use coffee cups.

At the launch, 25 independent coffee shops and 21 hotels agreed to stop giving drinks in throwaway containers.

Under the scheme, anyone buying a takeaway coffee must bring their own cup or pay a €2 deposit for a reusable cup.

The deposit is returned when the cup is brought back to any business in the network.

Organisers hoped to remove more than one million cups a year from local waste systems.

The project followed complaints from residents and visitors that coffee cups were being found at lakes, car parks and walking trails.

Clean-ups in the national park reported that the cups were one of the most common items collected.

A Government ‘latte levy’ of 20 cent per cup had been promised but has still not been introduced.

Chamber President Johnny McGuire said this delay has made it hard for small operators to stay involved.

Mr McGuire recently met An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss the problem and to press for the levy.

He said the Taoiseach listened carefully, but no date was given for action.

The chamber has also spoken to local TDs, Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Kerry County Council CEO Fearghal Reidy, who has expressed support.

The chamber insists the project is not finished. It hopes other towns will copy the Killarney model if a levy is brought in.

IBAL spokesperson Conor Hogan said the data shows that Coffee cups remained one of the most commonly found forms of litter and was evident in one fifth of all sites surveyed.

“A real disappointment in a generally positive year has been the likely collapse of reusable coffee cup schemes in towns such as Killarney,” said Mr Horgan.

“It is apparent that such schemes will only work with statutory backing.

As our data today bears out, without Government intervention coffee cups will remain an unsightly and entirely unnecessary blot on the landscape across our towns.

The prevarication from Government on the issue is striking, a levy was promised all of four years ago ,and sends out a worrying signal.

Weaning ourselves off single-use coffee cups should not be such a big deal.”

Advertisement

News

Rathmore’s Tearmann Lodge raises €1,200 for Kerry Hospice

The staff and residents at Tearmann Lodge in Rathmore recently came together to raise €1,200 for the Kerry Hospice Foundation . The facility, which is run by the Kerry Parents […]

Published

on

The staff and residents at Tearmann Lodge in Rathmore recently came together to raise €1,200 for the Kerry Hospice Foundation

.

The facility, which is run by the Kerry Parents & Friends Association, hosted a successful bingo evening and raffle in late March of this year. This follows a similar fundraising event held at the centre in 2024.
Residents at the lodge were encouraged to participate in the evening, which proved to be a highly positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Tearmann Lodge Manager Gillian Kenny facilitated the fundraiser, while staff member Irene O’Donoghue acted as the main organiser, with assistance from colleague Karen McCarthy and other members of the team.
The residential facility provides accommodation for nine residents, alongside an extra bedroom used for respite care when needed.
“Kerry Hospice would be close to the hearts of many here, both residents and staff, whose loved ones have benefitted from the services provided by the charity. We are delighted to be in a position to give something back in return,” Irene O’Donoghue said.
Pat Doolan of the Killarney Branch of Kerry Hospice expressed his gratitude to everyone at the centre during the official cheque presentation.
“This was another lovely gesture by all concerned and I want to thank them for their generosity. I spent some pleasant time over a cuppa with residents and staff members in the comfortable surroundings at Tearmann Lodge on the day of the cheque presentation. Esther Kelleher, who is a resident at the centre, entertained us with a lovely song,” Pat Doolan said

Continue Reading

News

Overnight water restrictions in Greater Killarney

Published

on

Overnight water restrictions in Greater Killarney

Uisce Éireann has introduced overnight water restrictions across parts of Greater Killarney to help reservoir levels recover during the current spell of warm weather.

The restrictions will take effect tonight from 9pm until 7am tomorrow morning. Areas affected include Aghadoe, Beaufort, and Listry on the Mid-Kerry Water Supply Scheme.

Increased demand during the warm weather has meant treated water is being used faster than it can be produced. Uisce Éireann stated that the nighttime shut-offs are necessary to protect the daytime supply for homes, businesses, and essential services.

Operations manager Eoin O’Connell urged local residents and businesses to conserve water where possible:

“Nighttime restrictions are being implemented to support treated reservoir recovery and maintain daytime supply. Conserving water will help protect resources and maintain supply for all. When there is an increase in temperatures it leads to a rise in demand for water. Water is a hugely precious resource, and it is important to conserve water.”

Uisce Éireann is monitoring water levels daily and will conduct a further operational assessment later this week.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport