Bermagui cafes collectively switch to reusable coffee cups

Image: The systemic mechanisms driving waste and hindering retailers’ engagement with waste reduction initiatives. From Koskela-Huotari, Kaisa & Svärd, Kristin & Williams, Helén & Trischler, Jakob & Wikström, Fredrik. (2023). Drivers and Hinderers of (Un)Sustainable Service: A Systems View. Journal of Service Research. 27. 1-18. 10.1177/10946705231176071.

in abc.net.au by By Isla Evans and Floss Adams 31 jan 2025

When Tim Northam was looking for ways to reduce waste at his New South Wales cafe, banning disposable coffee cups seemed to be a logical step.

Honorbread in Bermagui sells hundreds of takeaway coffees every day during the peak tourist season and Mr Northam knew something had to change.

“It’s a huge amount for the privilege for people just to be able to walk down the street or drink their coffee and then throw [the single-use cup] in the bin,” he said.

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Now the majority of cafes in the Far South Coast town, which has a population of about 1,800, have joined forces to eliminate disposable coffee cups entirely.

The concerted approach has become a test case for how businesses can reduce waste without losing customers.

“Somebody’s got to start doing it and we might as well,” Mr Northam said.

‘There has to be will’

More than one billion disposable coffee cups end up in Australian tips every year, according to the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Mister Hope manager Yuki Bird said there was immediate support from the town’s cafes when he floated the idea of getting rid of disposable cups last year.

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“There’s confusion about whether the cups are recyclable, then people tend to just throw it in the bin,” he said.

“You have to remove yourself from that system completely.

“It’s easier for us to use the disposable cups too — there has to be will from the cafes.

Nearly a dozen of the town’s cafes joined the campaign and most opted to use cups made by Australian company Good Reusables.

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‘Active test case’

If a customer in Bermagui does not have a reusable cup they can pay a $3 deposit for a reusable, recycled plastic cup.

The deposit is refundable at any of the participating cafes.

“In Australia, this is the most active test case now for a system in which the cafes are moving away from single use and offering a reuse system that is integrated,” Mr Bird said.

Mr Bird said the approach provided security for the businesses and alleviated concerns that customers would simply “go to the cafe next door”.

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‘Noble pursuit’

Mr Northam said the majority of the Bermagui locals had supported the ban, but launching the system at the start of summer was a challenge.

“It’s the time that it takes to explain at the point of sale, which is difficult,” he said.

Both cafes are still adjusting to the increase in dishwashing required with the reusable system, and need more cups to be returned after use.

But Mr Northam remained hopeful that people would continue to adapt to the town’s “noble pursuit”.

“I feel really proud about it and I’d really like for it to work,” he said.

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‘Brave thing to do’

Katerina Teaiwa has holidayed in Bermagui for more than a decade and said she supported the initiative.

“I don’t think it’s going to necessarily save the planet, kind of like the straws,” the Canberra resident said.

“But I do think this is the kind of thing that people who come to Bermagui regularly will really appreciate.”

Mr Bird said other communities should consider implementing the system.

“It’s not about creating or taking away people’s choices,” he said.

“To be standing on the frontline every single day and explaining that to the community is a very brave thing to do.”