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Shutterstock/Peter Bernik

One of the annoying problems with taking photos could be a thing of the past

A team of researchers have developed a way to get rid of reflections on photos.

ONE OF THE more annoying problems with taking photos inside a vehicle or building is ensuring window reflections aren’t captured as well.

Trying to get the right angle to reduce its severity is a case of trial and error but it might become easier in the future.

Researchers from both Google and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an algorithm that will eliminate any unwanted reflections that may appear.

It does this by using frames from a short video to separate the background from the foreground. By getting the user to move the camera slightly while recording, it then takes five to seven frames from the video.

These frames are processed through the algorithm and are used to recover both the background image without reflection and a clear image of the reflection.

reflection removal Tianfan Xue / YouTube Tianfan Xue / YouTube / YouTube

The same principle applies to obstacles like fences, rain drops and even graffiti on windows. The researchers also found a way to make the algorithm work with panorama photos, which takes a number of photos and stitches them together.

There’s no word as to whether this algorithm will ever make its way to devices, but it’s easy to see how useful such a feature would be.

Tianfan Xue / YouTube

Read: Here’s how you can get your phone’s music to turn itself off >

Read: This small town in west Cork will soon be home to Ireland’s first ‘rural digital hub’ >

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7 Comments
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    Mute declan benson
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:38 PM

    Can’t be expected to bring yer own cup everywhere with you. On the go and sometimes just want a coffee…..

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    Mute Lydia Mcloughlin
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:39 PM

    @declan benson: bought a coĺlapsable cup which is handy but yes its hard to remember it always but could but couple keep in bag and/or car?

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
    Favourite Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:40 PM

    @declan benson: So, stop for 10 minutes, take a well earned break, and have a cup of coffee!

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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
    Favourite Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:49 PM

    @Lydia Mcloughlin: we should be allowed to get a disposable coffee if we like.

    94
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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:00 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: Why?

    63
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:03 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: disposable coffee, yes. Disposable cups, no.

    72
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    Mute michael graham
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:09 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I agree but it’s hard to get a normal size cup in most cafes

    15
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:21 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: Because we want to.

    30
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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:31 PM

    @michael graham: Are you saying the cups are too big or too small? Without mentioning names we all know whete you can get a double handled monstrosity which hilfs half a litre of (vile) coffee!

    21
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
    Favourite Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:21 PM

    @Roy Dowling: more of an Ace of base fan myself.

    10
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    Mute Siona F
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:39 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Because for some of us, it’s a spur-of-the moment treat.

    A week or so back, I went into town with my mum, and on a whim mentioned I’d buy us a couple of hot chocolates from the place we like best. This is a take-away only place, so disposable cups are necessary.

    This was the third, maybe fourth time this year we’ve done this. We aren’t coffee drinkers. We don’t need reusable cups with us, because we use them so infrequently.

    34
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    Mute David Guiney
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:48 PM

    @declan benson: It’s a learned habit. Remember the plastic bags in the shops?

    42
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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
    Favourite Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:04 PM

    @Siona F: Yes you do need reusable cups, to stop using yhe ‘single use’ version! What a waste of resources! If this is the 4th time this year, that will be 8 times in a full year, so 16 cups in total!! By reusable ones!

    24
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    Mute James Carroll
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:18 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I wouldn’t buy disposable coffee. I would much rather drink it.

    6
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    Mute K OB
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:44 PM

    @declan benson: “In order to insure no patrons are turned away, customers can purchase a reusable cup for a €2 deposit which is refundable when the cup is returned at any of the participating locations.”

    26
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    Mute K OB
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:46 PM

    @declan benson: sorry hit return too fast, meant to say if deposit scheme was in place it would solve that issue.

    14
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    Mute Aidan C
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    Jul 15th 2023, 5:55 PM

    @declan benson: you can !
    All they have to provide is a hot rinse and drain bongo clean reusable stainless mug.

    1
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    Mute mark daly
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:37 PM

    Or just ensure they only use the compostable cups. Lots of large companies are already using these for their staff.

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    Mute Stuart Boyle
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:09 PM

    @mark daly: compostable cups could be great, but without on street public compostable bin infrastructure they just end up in land fill.

    109
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    Mute mark daly
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:40 PM

    @Stuart Boyle: True, but they would degrade to a better form than plastic. So should still be a better option overall.

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    Mute Jo H
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    Jul 13th 2023, 6:10 PM

    @mark daly: biodegradable will degrade eventually in any surroundings whereas compostable requires a specific environment so biodegradable might actually be better in this scenario – though either is preferable to plastic

    9
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:42 PM

    Someone i usually never want to agree with, as he just says whatever in the most dominating tone is Piers Morgan. Points out the other day CORRECTLY that everything and anything will be monitored in the west in the name of climate change while the Chinese regime continues to be responsible for over 30-33% of emissions. Imagine Just stop oil zealots heading off to China, or Iran to protest> AS IF.

    225
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    Mute Shelley Keary
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:53 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: why would you take Piers Morgan’s word as being sacrosanct? He’s not a scientist or a geographer or a climatologist! Basically, he’s just a loud mouth

    123
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:55 PM

    @Shelley Keary: because the point above that he just reiterated is scientifically factual

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    Mute Ní neart go cur le chéile.
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:56 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: China? Ok, then start to produce chemical, mineral, domestic products, clothing… in Ireland, see how your carbon emissions is, good luck with that

    25
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:22 PM

    @Ní neart go cur le chéile.: CHY NA

    16
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    Mute David Guiney
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:55 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: Conspiracy theories about climate change by Pier Morgan or any other nutter with a platform is not scientifically factual.

    22
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:21 PM

    @David Guiney: It is factual and the journal is unwilling to let me post my reply. stop calling people who arent conspiracy theorists that just because you have a limited grasp of vocabulary.

    18
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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jul 13th 2023, 6:48 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: Why would they go there to protest, they could could be harmed. Everywhere needs to cut down, China and Ireland included, are you arguing that we should somehow force China to cut its emissions more?

    4
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    Mute retro sun
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:55 PM

    Nothing but another money grab under the guise of saving the planet, they know full well people will not be carrying around a cup with them so they’ll squeeze the extra money out of them

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    Mute James Carroll
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:20 PM

    @retro sun: If people want their money grabbed, they won’t take a cup with a cup with them. We managed with shopping bags …

    35
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    Mute Seán Flanagan
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:57 PM

    No, but people who bring their own cups should get their drinks cheaper.

    102
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:01 PM

    @Seán Flanagan: they do

    38
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    Mute Monika B K
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:42 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: Not everywhere has that policy

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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:26 PM

    @Monika B K: :( if anyone will ditch it I assume Starbucks did?

    4
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    Mute David Guiney
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:58 PM

    @Seán Flanagan: A better option would an extra charge (tax) for buying a disposable cup. Like how they did it with the plastic bags back in the day. Getting companies to volunteer to a discount is like p*ss*ng in the wind.

    12
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:18 PM

    @David Guiney: anyone who REQUESTS further taxation in a country where this money is overwhelmingly squandered by parasites in power, is beyond help

    16
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    Mute Pat Mcleran
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:41 PM

    Heres a novel idea… why dont people stop buying takeaway coffee?
    You would save money, and help the environment.
    Everytime I see somebody with a takeaway coffee I think, theres another victim of consumerism. Thats 3 Euro you are never getting back.

    75
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    Mute Siona F
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:42 PM

    @Pat Mcleran: I don’t buy takeaway coffee.. but I buy the occasional takeaway hot chocolate. So far, I’ve bought 3 or 4 this year. Not very frequent and usually on a total whim. I generally prefer making my own at home, but hey, the odd treat is nice.

    The place I go to when I do want one…only does takeaway. No sitdown space.

    20
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    Mute David Guiney
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:06 PM

    @Pat Mcleran: I agree with you. If I stop at a coffee shop, I make a point to sit down and enjoy it onsite. It’s not always practical though. Some coffee places operate out of a food truck. I do have a reusable cup. But I mostly use that when I make my own coffee at home and take it in the car or on the train/bus.

    13
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    Mute Peter McCormack
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:30 PM

    3 euro for a cup of coffee is a total rip off with or without your own cup.
    You could buy a whole jar of coffee for that price.

    52
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    Mute Opinion is free but facts are sacred
    Favourite Opinion is free but facts are sacred
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:40 PM

    It makes no difference one way or another, these are just silly little things of no importance.

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    Mute Eoghan O Sullivan
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:40 PM

    Compostible all the way. Just back from France ans they have reusable plastic holders for chips and chicken nuggets..

    50
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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Jul 13th 2023, 1:45 PM

    stayed safe did you? you maybe werent in one of Macrons peaceful major towns and cities

    25
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    Mute David Stapleton
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:35 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain: no need, it’s all quiet at the moment, it’s been too hot. On the subject of reusables and compatibles, France has been doing this for years. For me it’s more a question of respecting the planet than climate change.

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    Mute K OB
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:49 PM

    @David Stapleton: so true, plus it would be nice to take a walk on Tramore beach and not see disposable coffee cups blowing around, climate change or no climate change.

    12
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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:45 PM

    Absolutely disposable cups should be done away with , complete waste. Not to mention the amount of litter they generate
    I was in La Rochelle last uest. No disposable cups used in the city , drink your coffee in the coffee shop or bring your own mug. Did not see any body carrying bottles water either . And as far as I know chewing gum is also banned..
    As a member of our local Tidy Towns , I cannot wait for the introduction of the levy on plastic bottles and cans , the ban on the sale of coffee in disposable cups.
    Irish people do not see litter and would step over it or around it, rather than do something about it

    50
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    Mute Eddie Garvey
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:00 PM

    Introduce a co2 allowance for everybody, when u use it up you pay through the nose for somebody else’s spare co2, if that doesn’t solve the problem then start on the endless list of tiny adjustments. Why stop an ordinary Joe soap enjoying a coffee when someone is driving past them in a Range Rover on the way to the airport for their umpteeth flight this year to another holiday or shopping trip in New York. Saving the planet shouldn’t be based on wealth in terms of who does it

    45
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    Mute Nick Cahill
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:21 PM

    @Eddie Garvey: You’d fit in well in China with that attitude.

    34
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    Mute Ordinary Bloke
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:21 PM

    These single-use wooden stirrers bug me. It seems such a stupid waste. I ask for a metal spoon.

    46
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    Mute ForYourSafety
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    Jul 13th 2023, 3:50 PM

    What’s next from the new religion? the new “Climate Cult”

    23
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    Mute Ní neart go cur le chéile.
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:59 PM

    It shouldn’t ban it or stop using it. Nothing wrong with it. It’s the people! People should have the awareness, do not dump it anywhere as continuance for them.

    17
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    Mute DublinDan
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:54 PM

    Educating people is what we should be doing as a society so they can make the right decisions. Not banning things for the sake of it. Also on the topic of looking after the environment, is there not some tasks that could be given to local teenagers during the summer holidays to improve the environment and the appearance of many estates? A day or two a week litter picking or painting walls or cutting grass wouldn’t be much to ask.

    14
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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Jul 14th 2023, 4:44 PM

    @DublinDan: So pay the people who want to do a summer job. Why decide that teenagers should be the ones to clear up without payment? Do they have fewer rights than other people?

    1
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    Mute Robert Halvey
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:47 PM

    Anything that reduces waste is good as far as iam concerned

    11
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    Mute James Carroll
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    Jul 13th 2023, 4:21 PM

    I want to combat climate change but I want others to take action, I want others to pay, I want others to take responsibility, I want others to suffer the current an future effects …

    8
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    Mute UCD Trinity
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    Jul 13th 2023, 6:41 PM

    I think it should be mandatory to carry a reuse cup.
    Just like a Driving License
    In fact, one can put a PSC Chip on the side of it, and make it mandatory you have it everywhere you go (including to the bathroom)
    Regina Doherty can be drafted in to implement it.
    She can come up with one of her witty quips like “its compulsory but not mandatory”.

    7
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    Mute martin finnegan
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    Jul 13th 2023, 11:49 PM

    Yes bring own cup and charge at least a euro less for a cupa coffee or tea

    6
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    Mute Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh)
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    Jul 13th 2023, 9:28 PM

    Is there an option for “I really don’t give a f”

    8
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    Mute Corporate Interests
    Favourite Corporate Interests
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    Jul 14th 2023, 9:18 AM

    @Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh): We’ll pass that idea on to our investors. And your children.

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    Mute Richard Barrett
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    Jul 13th 2023, 6:50 PM

    No. This will cause a collapse in coffee buying. Instead, I would suggest a levy of say 1 Euro on single use cups.

    5
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    Mute michael graham
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    Jul 13th 2023, 2:07 PM

    They could start by using smaller cardboard cups for take aways

    5
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    Mute Kevin Dillon
    Favourite Kevin Dillon
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    Jul 13th 2023, 11:07 PM

    Coffee tastes terrible out of plastic cups.

    3
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    Mute F Fitzgerald
    Favourite F Fitzgerald
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    Jul 14th 2023, 4:45 PM

    @Kevin Dillon: I use a ceramic cup, but obviously it’s bulky to carry around.

    1
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    Mute Corporate Interests
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    Jul 14th 2023, 9:16 AM

    We are pleased to note the lack of initiative of the individual. You would rather we produce endless throwaway products to generate profits for our industry and so that they either end up in landfill, the side of the road or better still, in your lungs once incinerated. We are are delighted that rather than take said personal initiative to just bring your own cup, instead of being lazy and ignorant, you would rather bicker like a bunch of rats about your right to produce needless waste or be legislated to do what simply requires your own initiative (to bring your own reusable cup or bottle). We are further delighted to note that while you think a cup may be “disposable”, they still require plastic coatings adding to the already asinine levels of plastics (and micro-plastics) in the environment that end up in your food and finally, being found in the human placenta. These weak synthetic estrogens which you so wilfully bathe in are for your greater good.

    2
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