# Latte levy could be used to raise major sums for goods causes, CAF suggests

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/01/08/latte-levy-used-raise-major-sums-goods-causes-caf-suggests/
- Published: 2018-01-08T06:59:54+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Charities Aid Foundation is calling on the government to consider applying some
of the proceeds of the proposed latte levy to support charities with experience 
of recycling, environmental protection and consumer advice.**

 

According to [CAF](https://www.cafonline.org/), the levy has the potential to build
on the success of the plastic bag levy and raise major sums for good causes. A [report](https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/657/65702.htm)
published last week by the Environmental Audit Committee stated that 2.5bn takeaway
coffee cups are thrown away each year in the UK, with MPs calling for a 25p levy
on the price of a takeaway coffee to reduce the number of cups thrown away. This
would be followed by the introduction of a ban on throwaway coffee cups if a target
that all takeaway cups are recyclable by 2023 is not met.

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MPs on the committee have suggested that the levy could lead to a 30% reduction 
in the use of disposable cups and generate £438 million in revenue, which could 
be used to fund better recycling facilities. However, CAF is arguing that the impact
of the scheme could be increased by applying some of the proceeds to support charities
with experience of recycling, environmental protection and consumer advice, harnessing
their expertise in recycling and their work changing consumer behaviour.

 

CAF has also estimated that a proposed levy on single-use plastic items could generate
at least £1.75 million a day for good causes, if levels of use did not change, based
on figures by [WRAP](http://wrap.org.uk/), that more than 35 million plastic bottles
are used every day in the UK.

 

Even if the number of plastic bottles used every day fell by 85%, similar to the
reduction in use of plastic bags, CAF has estimated that this could still generate
more than quarter of a million pounds a day (£262,000) for good causes.

 

Sir John Low, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said:

 

> “The reaction to the idea of 25p added to the price of your takeaway coffee shows
> that people support levies and consumer charges that are used in a positive way.
> Ministers should look not only to develop better recycling facilities but also
> harness the excellent charities working for the public good, particularly in areas
> like the environment, recycling and consumer advice to achieve the greatest impact
> from any levy.
> “Combined with a general levy on all single-use plastic items, suggested by CAF
> last year, these levies can bring about positive behaviour change and generate
> millions of pounds to change our communities for the better.”

 * **[Majority of Brits want latte levy money to go to charity](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/01/23/majority-brits-want-latte-levy-money-go-charity/)**(
   23 January 2019)
 * **[Almost 6 in 10 people want plastic bag levy to benefit green charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/10/24/almost-6-10-people-plastic-bag-levy-benefit-green-charities/)**(
   24 October 2019)
 * **[Single use plastic bags charge increases to 10p](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/04/06/single-use-plastic-bags-charge-increases-to-10p/)**(
   6 April 2021)

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