Oslo, Norway - Oslo is considering implementing a deposit system for disposable cups, similar to the one in place for bottles, to address the city's growing waste problem.

Marit Vea, Oslo's environmental commissioner, highlighted the significant environmental impact of disposable cups since their introduction to Norway around 30 years ago. "People should still be able to enjoy a takeaway coffee," Vea told the newspaper Dagsavisen, "but we need to address the littering issue."

A recent study revealed that Oslo alone discards approximately 3 million disposable cups and lids annually. To tackle this, the city is exploring options such as replacing disposable cups with reusable ones, inspired by a successful pilot project in Aarhus, Denmark. In this system, customers pay a small deposit for reusable cups, which can be refunded at designated recycling machines.

Oslo is also considering imposing an environmental fee of around NOK 4-5 (approximately USD 0.50) on single-use cups, mirroring the existing fee on plastic bags. However, the city's authority to implement such restrictions and whether national approval is required remains unclear.

By introducing these measures, Oslo aims to reduce the city's environmental footprint and promote more sustainable consumption habits.