AUSTRALIA
A Sydney coffee cafe has banned the use of single-use disposable coffee cups, taking what they call a positive step toward sustainability in their community.
The cafe, Tonic Lane, is the first shop in the Sidney area to make the move, according to Broadstreet Media. Estimates indicate Australians throw away about 50,000 takeaway coffee cups every 30 minutes. That adds up to 2.7 million cups a day.
Tonic Lane customers can use a free mug or bring their own and receive customer loyalty points. More than 80% of its customers provide their own cups, café owners say.
Since the change, the cafe says, at least 80% of its customers bring in their own cups and that it has saved 1670 single-use cups from going into landfill.
“It has been cast as a bold move but cafes need to be brave and make the transition,” Tonic Lane owner Lain Tapsall told Broadstreet. “We have had overwhelming community support and have customers traveling further to do their bit and get the double stamp.”
If customers really want a disposable cup they are provided with a biodegradable, single-use cup for a small fee.