Another 5p.

[longwayoff]

Starbucks is going to knock us for 5p per paper cup. We are already paying 5p per plastic carrier bag. Why are we paying for this? We consumers didnt ask suppliers to dispense with returnable glass bottles and paper bags and fill our lives with plastic. Having done so we now have to pay to get rid of it. It cant be impossible to make a recyclable coffee cup can it? I'm annoyed.

I know they are first world problems - thats why I'll continue to pay the 5p for convenience

Bags in case I buy something

woolythoughts my reusable bag is (when in it's little pouch) about the size of a screwed-up hankie. It's also a lot stronger than a plastic bag, so easier to carry heavy things in. If I carry something dirty then it goes in the wash, no trouble, and dries in minutes.

It's a bit precious that you seem to think it's OK buggering up the planet when you don't need to because you are above carrying something this small and this easy.

It's to encourage people to bring their own reusable bag/cup in and to help tackle and lessen the issue.

@Argeles Plastic carrier bag use has dropped 85% since the charge was introduced which is excellent for the environment. The charge does not go to the government - it is kept by the retailer but they are "expected" to give it to good causes and have to report to the Government each year about what they've done with the money. In year one £66 million went to good causes but obviously this will drop to very little comparatively as so few single use bags are purchased.

I literally leave the house with keys and a phone. I don't carry a hand bag. Can't be doing with it.

Argeles... it's called nudge theory, a micro disincentive can cause a big behaviour shift in the population for the better. See plastic bag charge. I don't care where the money goes, as long as whales aren't mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish and beaching on the shores starving because they have zero stomach capacity left. And sea turtles aren't having drinking straws agonisingly removed from their nose with pliers by a volunteer, blood pouring. This is the reality of what we're doing to the planet & its wildlife with our plastic waste & litter

You can save yourself way more than 5p by not subscribing to the hype that is Starbucks *spectacularly misses the point

One day we will look back at these times when we filled our planet with toxic waste and groan with horror. Bit by bit we are killing off the ecosystems which sustain us. Irritations at little inconveniences will seem like nothing.

@ShatnersWig

Thank you for this information. I use bags for life when I remember to take them out with me, which I am getting better at, but the 5p charge has always left me angry, as I don’t trust businesses. I’m pleased to now know that they have to report to the government.

Get over yourself OP, have a little thought for future generations not just yourself. Either pay the 5p or carry a re-useable one.

wooly, you presumably also at least occasionally carry money or a card?

How difficult would it be to shove something like this into your pocket? When folded, it's tiny and very light.

ShatnersWig -- does this also apply to the profits from the progressively-more-crap Bags For Life or do they get to keep those?

Or you could all save a packet by just not getting take away drinks. You won't shrivel up and die. Starbucks et al have convinced you that life is not complete without a branded drink in your hand as you go from A to B. More fool you.

They're not knocking me. Never bought a takeout tea or coffee in my entire life and I'm 44 years old.

This!

If an additional 5p is upsetting you, OP, then I would suggest you stop buying into the grab-a-latte, girl-about-town image. You obviously resent having to spend the money it takes to maintain your current image, so be brave and break with the tribe.

@swg1 I don't know the answer to that, I'm afraid, but I suspect they don't have to report back on those and keep the money themselves, on the basis that most (all?) supermarkets were doing those Bags for Life at least a decade before the 5p carrier bag charge came into being.

The effect of the 5p charge on plastic bag use demonstrates that it works, so I'm all in favour of this. Unsurprisingly, collapsible coffee cups are easily available, so it's not as if you need to carry a large empty cup around with you all the time.

I work in a shop and I'm sick of the people moaning when I ask (as I have to) if they'd like a bag. 'Oh, I suppose you're going to charge me 5p aren't you, robbing bastards,' etc etc etc.

Actually the 5p goes to the local appointed charity. And YOU CAN ALWAYS BRING YOUR OWN BAG AND USE THAT! Same with coffee cups, I can understand the occasional use, if you pop in unexpectedly (same with shopping) because you have time to kill etc. But every time?

Don't be so lazy. Sort yourself out.

They will pass on the costs to the customer one way or another. If it weren't specifically a charge for the cup, it would be a 5p increase on every drink, so at least this way you can choose.

just don't buy a starbucks coffee - it is not essential to life

Do Costa do their own reusable cup? I can't say that I've ever seen any in their coffee shops.

Think of the planet.

Its health is much more important than being able to use straws. I think as many single-use items as possible shouuld be banned.

Costa cup are recyclable why aren't Starbucks?

I am one of the increasing numbers of “shoulder bag workers” traispingbaround the place. I don’t really have the room in my laptop bag for a cup, nor want the weight of one. I have seen collapsable ones but apparently they don’t last long

If you are paying 2.90 for a latte, as I did yesterday at a railway station, and that was with my reusable cup too, the 5p ain't gonna make a difference. It's one of the biggest ripoffs of our age.