OTLEY is to launch its very own scheme to tackle disposable coffee cup waste.

The Government is currently considering several proposals, including a 'latte levy' to discourage the use of disposable cups, to reduce plastic waste.

First, though it is holding a consultation exercise - something critics claim could cause a lengthy delay to any action being taken.

Otley Town Council, meanwhile, has come up with an initiative of its own that it hopes will have a real and quick impact.

The My Otley Cup scheme, due to formally launch in April, will see the council selling a range of reusable bamboo coffee cups sporting the MyOtleyCup logo.

The cups are to be sold from the council's offices on Orchard Gate and also at local cafes and stores.

Councillors hope participating businesses will offer a small discount to customers, too, for using their MyOtleyCup for a refill.

The project is the brainchild of Environment Committee Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson MBE (Lib Dem, Danefield).

He said: "Public concern about single-use disposable items, especially plastics, is increasing thanks to Blue Planet 2 and we wanted to respond to this.

"Coffee cups are paper with a plastic liner, and are hard to recycle.

"While the industry is now tackling the recyclability of these disposables, reuse and refill is always a better environmental option.

"We want to make it a pleasure to use a MyOtleyCup to reduce waste, enjoy coffee and promote Otley at the same time."

Chair of the council's Trade and Tourism Committee, Councillor Paul Carter (Lib Dem, West Chevin), said: "For Otley coffee lovers that travel, the MyOtleyCup will be a distinctive way of promoting Otley and showing that we care about the beautiful environment we have in our town and environs.

"I hope local cafes and traders will embrace the ethos and support the project, which responds to a public demand for more action on disposable items."

An initial batch of 144 cups, purchased from ECoffee Cup in 80z, 10oz and 14oz sizes, has been ordered.

Available in a range of colours and designs, they cost £6, £6.50 or £7.

Cllr Georgeson added: "Over the coming weeks town councillors will be touring local cafes and businesses to make the cups available for sale, and a formal launch event will be arranged in April.

"In the meantime any residents keen to get their hands on a MyOtleyCup can call into the council's offices and pick one up.

"Any cafes interested in making an early start on supporting the project can also contact me through the council and I will be glad to bring round the samples.

"I'm hoping to drink a lot of refilled coffee in the coming weeks!"

The Environmental Audit Committee, which proposed the Latte Levy, believes some 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are used in the UK annually - with less than one in 400 recycled.