Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has reportedly proposed that retailers, supermarkets and other food businesses that use single-use plastics such as containers, utensils, bottles and other packaging could be fined up to €500.
A by-law on single-use plastics has come from Fine Gael councillor and barrister Barry Ward, which will soon be open to public consultation, reports Newstalk.
According to Newstalk, Ward said that the proposal was "the first step towards addressing single-use plastics."
"Looking forward to the feedback from businesses and the public on how we can make this work for everyone." He added.
Latte Levy
On the 6 November last year, it was announced that a so-called latte levy on disposable coffee cups would be introduced across Ireland by 2021 in a bid to change consumer habits and cut the environmental impact from the use of single-use plastics by Minister of Communications, Climate Action & Environment Richard Bruton.
The government said at the time that it hopes the proposed levy of up to €0.25 per cup will encourage coffee drinkers to instead carry around reusable "Keep Cups" that already allow customers to claim a discount in some coffee shops.
The charge is among a number of new and increased levies to encourage more sustainable behaviour, including applying an increased €0.25 plastic bag levy to the more expensive medium weight plastic bags sold at supermarket tills.
Ireland first introduced a tax on plastic bags in 2002.
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