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CAMRA joins campaign to ban plastic pint cups

10 August 2022 By Eloise Feilden

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has joined the call for an outright ban on plastic pint cups, calling on the government to change licensing legislation in a bid to make pubs more environmentally friendly.

The campaign, led by A Plastic Planet, is calling for plastic drinking cups, such as those used during music festivals and live sporting events, to be banned for the on-trade.

Some licensing authorities currently require the use of plastic or polycarbonate cups as an alternative to glass, as a means of ensuring public safety for events and venues serving alcohol. But the campaign to ban them looks to supply more eco-friendly options for the industry.

Commenting on the campaign Nik Antona, CAMRA chair, said: “CAMRA supports the campaign for a plastic free pint. With 75% of consumers agreeing that plastic ruins the taste of beer, we’d like to see Government not only ban single use plastic pint cups, but also support the development and adoption of solutions for a better pint.

“It’s therefore vital that Local Authorities amend licensing conditions to include a wider range of materials, so that the trade can protect consumers and the environment.”

Yonder polling conducted in April found 89% of Britons want plastic pint cups banned in a bid to protect the environment and some 75% of respondents also believe plastic pint cups ‘cheapen the experience’ of their favourite beer.

The polling coincided with an open letter signed by parliamentarians and figures from the beer and live entertainment industry urging the Government to outlaw plastic pint cups.

Support for the campaign has come from more than 20 cross-party MPs in an Early Day Motion submitted to Parliament.

According to a press release put out by CAMRA, some 100 million plastic cups are used annually during music festivals and live sporting events in the UK.

Antona added: “There are countless innovators in the pub and beer trade who are working to produce alternatives to plastic pints, which CAMRA will continue to promote as part of our ‘Drink Greener’ campaign.”

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