RESEARCHERS have suggested that following the success of the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags, a similar rule could be introduced for disposable coffee cups.

Ninety per cent of shoppers in England now carry their own bags with them following the 5p government levy which was introduced in October last year.

VOTE: Would you pay 5p for a disposable coffee cup?

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As a result of its success, researchers now think the levy could stretch to other disposable products, most notably coffee cups after it was found that more than 2.5 billion are thrown away in the UK each year.

READ MORE: Nine out of 10 shoppers using own bags since 5p charge introduced

Professor Wouter Poortinga, who led the research, said: "Overall, our research has shown that the English carrier bag charge has had a strong and positive impact on people's attitudes and behaviours and that it successfully disrupted people using plastic bags.

"We've seen that the charge has become increasingly popular with the English population since it was introduced, and that it has changed attitudes towards waste policies as well.

"This suggests that other similar policies could be successfully implemented, such as a deposit return scheme on plastic bottles or a charge on disposable coffee cups."

VOTE: Do you always remember to take your own bags to the shops?