Reusable cup project launched in Fingal

Fingal County Council is taking a stand against disposable culture by launching the Fingal Reusable Cup Project in two of its most vibrant communities. This will see residents in the coastal towns of Malahide and Rush being asked to go disposable cup free by November 2025 and to join a bold new chapter in sustainable, waste-free living.

Backed by funding from the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPO), under the Government’s Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) 2025, supported by the Circular Economy Fund, this project is a first-of-its-kind, holistic approach to cutting disposable cup waste.

The Fingal Reusable Cup Project is more than just a council-led plan; it’s a cross-sector collaboration that’s bringing together public and private players, local volunteers, environmental advocates, community groups and retailers. Think: baristas, tidy towns volunteers, parish councils, sports clubs, schools, chambers of commerce, all working side-by-side toward one shared goal: no more disposable cups.

Fingal is kicking off the six-month pilot powered by reusable cup tech experts and not-for-profit social enterprise VYTAL. Participating cafés in Rush and Malahide will offer free reusable takeaway cups for those who don't already own one of their own. Customers can simply borrow a VYTAL cup to enjoy their drink and then return it at any participating location within 14 days, for free. 

Launching the initiative, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh said: "We’re incredibly proud to launch this in Fingal. By working directly with local communities, volunteers and retailers, we’re building something sustainable and scalable. This is climate action that feels good — and tastes like good coffee.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ireland reports that plastic packaging recycling rates remain low, with a large amount of plastic packaging waste incinerated, thereby contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Disposable cups may appear to be made of paper, but they are typically lined with a thin layer of plastic which makes them difficult to recycle through standard systems.

Welcoming the approach, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’ Brien TD, said: “Changing the culture of disposables in Ireland will take time and effort, but initiatives like this demonstrate a strong appetite for climate action from local government, retailers, communities, and customers alike. This project is a leading example of circularity in action, and I commend Fingal County Council for its leadership and commitment to reducing unnecessary waste."

Initiatives like the Fingal Reusable Cup Project are essential to helping communities across the country recognise the benefit of moving away from a throwaway culture. By making reuse simple and accessible, they help shift behaviour and reduce the environmental burden that sees millions of single-use cups end up in landfill or being incinerated annually.

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sports Department, said: "The launch of the Fingal Reusable Cup Project marks a significant step forward in our commitment to climate action and the circular economy. This initiative not only reduces single use waste but also exemplifies the principle of the circular economy which is a core pillar to Fingal's Climate Action Plan. By supporting local participation, we are fostering long term behavioural change that contributes to a low carbon future. It’s great to see such strong community engagement as we work together to deliver tangible climate solutions at a local level."

Reusables are the future, however reusable packaging currently makes up only 2% of all packaging in Ireland. To change this, we need bold, community-led action and this project is a clear step in that direction.

“The RWMPO is delighted to support this exciting initiative,” added Hugh Coughlan, from the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices. “It’s collaborative, community-driven, and exactly the kind of circular economy project we need more of.”

Reusable cup systems, like that now launched in Fingal, offer a practical and sustainable alternative to single-use cups by significantly reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and conserving resources. Alongside this, they support a circular economy by promoting the repeated use of durable products, can help cut down the amount of litter in public spaces, and also encourage more environmentally conscious consumer habits.

“We have been looking for a feasible solution that works for us as a business and for our customers to reduce our carbon footprint. We are delighted to take part in this project and encourage all businesses to get on board”, said Alan Purcell, owner of Seomra Tae in Malahide.

“As a local tidy town representative, I am proud of Rush and how enthusiastic our retailers have been. We are very excided to get started and will continue to promote this project over the pilot period to local businesses and customers”, said Vanessa Hetherington.