A waste reduction initiative in the town of Killarney, Co Kerry has resulted in 50,000 fewer single-use coffee cups being disposed of since the project was launched on 31 July.
More than 50 businesses in the town have stopped offering single-use cups to customers, opting instead for reusable cups.
Consumers are encouraged to bring their own reusable cup, but can also purchase a reusable cup for a refundable €2 deposit, which can be returned to any coffee shop in the town.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Killarney Coffee Cup Project spokesperson Killian Tracey said the project has been well received.
He said: "Bins are only half-full most days, which is very encouraging.
"With the locals, we're finding they have their own reusable cup, which they use every day.
"It has become part of their daily routine when they're leaving the house."
Tourists generally pay the €2 deposit for a reusable cup, he said.
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Another part of the project involved collecting single-use coffee cups and placing them in a box in the town centre.
The box can hold 23,000 cups, which is the number of single-use cups previously used in the town on a weekly basis.
The unused single-use coffee cups will be used as part of a future educational piece that includes local art, biodiversity and science projects.
The project is supported by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Killarney Credit Union, Kerry County Council, 2GoCup, WanderWild Festival, Kerry Convention Bureau and AIB.
