The Environmental Audit Committee is relaunching its predecessor’s inquiry into disposable coffee cups and plastic bottles.

The new inquiry will look into the viability of deposit schemes and taxes as ways to reduce impact of plastic waste on the environment.

It also aims to examine if charges should be put on the use of single use plastic botttles and cups to cut litter.

The UK throws around 2.5 billion coffee cups every year, of which less than one in 400 are recycled.

In addition, only 57% of all plastic bottles are recycled.

The EAC is accepting written submissions until 29^th September.

The Scottish Government recently announced plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers but the new system has yet to be finalised.

• EAC, UK, coffee cups, deposit schemes, plastic bottles