Toronto considering ban on paper coffee cups
Last Updated: Monday, September 15, 2008 | 8:40 AM ET
CBC News
Toronto is considering ways to reduce the number of coffee cups making it to landfill sites. (Stephen Puddicombe/CBC) The City of Toronto is considering everything from a tax to an outright ban on objects like paper coffee cups, fast-food containers and plastic bags that clog the recycling system.
By 2010, Toronto wants to send only 30 per cent of its garbage to landfill sites.
But to achieve that goal, the city says, it needs to limit the garbage that takes up a lot of space — and that means reducing Styrofoam cartons, plastic bags and the ubiquitous paper coffee cup.
Among the proposals is adding a levy to coffee cups, or banning them altogether.
Coun. Howard Moscoe says consumers could be given a discount if they have their own mugs when they buy coffee.
"We want people to take their coffee in an environmentally friendly way ... I suspect most people in Toronto will be carrying one of these in the not-too-distant future," he said, showing off his own travel mug.
Some establishments, including Starbucks, already offer discounts for people who bring in their own containers.
Another option for reducing waste is to create a deposit-return program, similar to the system already in place for bottles.
Torontonian Nancy Demattio says she is willing to pay a tax on coffee cups to get her fix, but the city should be making it easier to recycle.
"There aren't a lot of recycling bins for coffee cups. Like at home, you stick them in the green bin."
Moscoe says plastic bags are another continuing problem, and he hopes more people will start to use reusable bags.
