To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in relation to the reopening of wet pubs, and as we continue to work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, what work has been taken with other Departments to discourage businesses from using plastic, non-reusable cups.

I acknowledge that the use of plastic, non-reusable cups represents a challenge during these unprecedented times, however, I am also acutely aware of the pressures businesses are currently facing due to the pandemic.

That said, my Department is funding an initiative to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic used by businesses, encourage reusables and promote behaviour change. The Tackling Plastics project, (run by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Sustainable NI) is piloting a business toolkit to help businesses “Reduce Pointless Plastic” and will enable behaviour change as things begin to normalise. Businesses and local councils have been very keen to engage with this so far, despite the ongoing crisis.

My Department has also recently engaged with the Education Authority to help promote the use of reusable alternatives in the education sector, following the re-opening of schools. To date, there have been no links with any other Departments in discouraging businesses from using plastic, non-reusable cups.