The Latte Levy and Single-Use Plastic Rules in Ireland: A Café's Guide (2026)
The DiscountTillRolls.ie TeamAs of September 2026, Ireland's "latte levy" on disposable coffee cups has still not been introduced. The current proposal is a 20 cent charge per cup collected from producers and importers, rather than a charge added at the till. What cafés must already follow are the EU single-use plastic rules: plastic cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers and polystyrene food and drink containers have been banned since July 2021, and cups containing plastic must carry a "plastic in product" marking.
This guide sums up where things stand, what is already law, and what a sensible café can do now. It is general information, not legal advice.
In this guide
- What is the latte levy, and is it in force?
- Which single-use plastics are already banned?
- Do paper coffee cups count as single-use plastic?
- What about "eco" and "compostable" claims?
- What should a café do now?
- FAQ
What is the latte levy, and is it in force?
The latte levy is a proposed charge on disposable coffee cups, designed to push people towards reusable cups. It has been talked about for years, and the original plan was a charge the customer paid at the counter.
According to reporting in August 2026, the Government is now looking at a 20 cent levy collected by Revenue from the producers and importers of cups, not from cafés at the till. No legislation has been passed and there is no confirmed start date. Large coffee chains have lobbied against it.
So for now: there is no levy to charge or pay. But it is worth planning as if it will arrive, because if it does, the cost of disposable cups will almost certainly rise.
Which single-use plastics are already banned in Ireland?
Under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, these items have been banned from sale in Ireland since July 2021:
- Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks)
- Plastic plates
- Plastic straws and drink stirrers
- Food and drink containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene
- Cotton bud sticks and balloon sticks
- Any product made from oxo-degradable plastic
If you still have old plastic cutlery or straws in the back, they should not be going out to customers. The usual replacements are wooden cutlery and paper straws.
Individually wrapped 197x8mm paper straws for cafés and bars.
Do paper coffee cups count as single-use plastic?
Usually, yes. Most paper cups have a thin plastic (PE) lining inside to stop them leaking. Under the EU rules, a cup made partly of plastic is a single-use plastic product, even if it looks like paper. That is why those cups must carry the "plastic in product" marking.
Paper cups are not banned. But they are the exact product the latte levy is aimed at, and they are the product customers increasingly ask about. Cups with a plastic-free aqueous lining are one alternative. We explain how they differ in Do your coffee cups really compost? If you switch, check the product specification and marking for each line rather than assuming.
What about "eco" and "compostable" claims on my menu?
From 27 September 2026, new EU consumer protection rules (Directive (EU) 2024/825, often called EmpCo) tighten the rules on environmental claims made to consumers. In Ireland they are enforced by the CCPC.
- If you sell to the public, as a café, deli, takeaway or food truck, the rules apply to your menus, signage, packaging, website and social posts. Claims like "eco-friendly" or "green" need to be specific and backed up.
- "Compostable" should mean something specific, such as certified to EN 13432, not just a general impression.
- Buying from us is not affected. Trade sales between businesses sit outside these consumer rules, though normal advertising and labelling law still applies.
If you are unsure whether a claim you make stands up, it is worth taking your own professional advice.
Wooden spoons for stirring and tasting, in place of banned plastic stirrers.
What should a café do now?
- Clear out banned items. No plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers or polystyrene cups going out to customers.
- Offer a reusable cup discount and actually advertise it. It builds goodwill now and cuts your cup costs if a levy comes in.
- Review your cups. Know which of your lines contain plastic, and look at plastic-free options for your best sellers.
- Check your green claims on menus, boards and social media before 27 September 2026.
- Keep an eye on the news. We will update this page if the levy is confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a latte levy in Ireland?
Not yet. As of September 2026 it has not been introduced. The latest proposal is a 20 cent levy per cup collected from producers and importers.
How much would the latte levy be?
The current proposal is 20 cent per disposable cup, collected at producer or importer level rather than charged at the till.
Are plastic straws banned in Ireland?
Yes. Plastic straws, cutlery, plates, stirrers and polystyrene food and drink containers have been banned since July 2021 under the EU Single-Use Plastics rules.
Are paper coffee cups banned?
No. Paper cups are allowed, but most contain a plastic lining and must carry a "plastic in product" marking.
Do compostable cups avoid the latte levy?
No exemption has been confirmed. The levy has not been legislated, so the final rules on which cups it covers are not known yet.
Get your counter ready for what is coming.
Plastic-free cups, wooden cutlery and paper straws, delivered free across Ireland.
Shop compostable cups →General information only, not legal advice. Correct as of September 2026.