Green Limerick: Single-use cups to be ditched in Adare

SINGLE-use paper cups are being ‘ditched’ by one Limerick business community, a transition described by the Mayor as “essential”.

Businesses in Adare are ditching single use paper cups for reusable 2GoCups, to embrace sustainability and the circular economy.

A reusable cup rental scheme is being rolled out across the village and a new Adare Green Business Hub was launched by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran.

The new Green Hub aims to “foster a community-led approach to drive local action on the circular economy and climate action”.

2GoCups are in some participating locations across the country, with 13 in Limerick and one in Newcastle West. Adare is the latest addition to the scheme.

The 2GoCups are €2 and are filled with your drink of choice by your local café. They can be brought back and reused or returned.

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The initiative will primarily provide resources and support to local businesses looking to adopt more sustainable waste management practices, particularly waste prevention, and will improve waste separation within the three-bin waste system.

“The tremendous community led approach behind creating this project will no doubt improve sustainability in the village of Adare and go on to have a positive impact on climate change,” said Mayor John Moran.

“In this modern world, Ireland is moving away from the traditional take-make-use-dispose model towards a more circular economy, regenerative growth model where resources are reused or recycled as much as possible and waste is minimised.

“This transition is now essential to reduce pressure on the earth’s natural resources, aid in achieving climate targets, support Sustainable Development Goals and create sustainable growth and jobs.”

The project is being delivered by Limerick City and County Council’s Environment and Climate Action Department, in partnership with the My Waste team, Adare Tidy Towns and the Adare Business Community.

Helen Kenneally, environmental awareness officer with Limerick City and County Council is encouraging the business community to engage with the project: “The online council toolkit for business is a very clear, versatile resource which will assist the business community to standardise their waste bin labelling both within the premises.

“This, in turn, will improve the separation of the waste generated on the business premises into the three-bin system, and will help to prevent contamination of the waste streams.”

Retailers and other establishments are invited to book a one-to-one session with a Limerick City and County Council waste advisor, who will visit individual business premises to help identify simple changes to improve waste segregation and recycling.

With the assistance of Adare Tidy Towns, a reusable cup rental scheme (2GoCup) is being introduced in Adare as part of the campaign.

Other participating locations in Limerick include most of the hospitals such as University of Limerick (UHL) hospital, the Maternity Hospital, Bon Secours and St John’s Hospital.

The Scholars Club in the University of Limerick (UL) is also a participating store, as is Siege Coffee in Colbert Station.