Reusable cups and containers to become second nature in Bondi

Waverley Council has launched a new campaign in partnership with Responsible Cafes to help local cafes reduce their reliance on single-use products such as disposable cups and containers to reduce litter and create a more sustainable future.

The Reusable Cup Campaign is supporting cafes to trial various strategies to make reusable cups more convenient. Participating cafes include Porch & Parlour, Bronte Surf Life Saving Club Kiosk, Orchard St, Funky Pies, SHUK Bakery, SHUK Falafel, SHUK North Bondi, The Shop & Wine Bar, Harry’s Bondi, Cali Press, The Nine, Makuto and bRu Coffee.

This project is supported by NSW Environment Protection Authority, Waste Less Recycle More initiative funded by the waste levy, and aims to support businesses during the NSW single-use plastic bans and reduce local litter.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, who paid tribute to the participating cafes, said the campaign aligns with the Council’s commitment to move towards a zero waste community and circular economy, and achieve our target to reduce litter by 60% by 2030, including single use plastics and microplastics at our beaches and in our waterways.

“As part of our commitment to making sustainability second nature, we are supporting the community to reduce waste and litter from single-use packaging around Bondi by making reusable cups and containers more convenient for our local cafes, and encouraging customers to use non-disposable ‘keep’ cups and containers,” Mayor Masselos said.

“The NSW Single Use Plastics Ban will affect the products that our cafes will be able to use and it’s important that we help our local businesses to phase out these items.

“Figures from the summer 2022 litter audit found that Bondi is our most littered beach and that the highest proportion of litter items was observed in the middle region of the beach. At Tamarama and Bronte beaches, the areas around the retaining walls are the most highly littered.

“To make Waverley an even better place to live, work and visit, it’s important that our Council continues to implement measures to reduce reliance on single-use items and help support our local businesses who share our vision for a sustainable future and economy.”

“We are encouraging everyone to participate in the community-led Bring Your Own (BYO) Cup Week from 1- 10 December 2022. During this time participating cafes will not be offering single use cups, and customers can get on board by making pledge to Ditch the Cup or Ditch the Container through Pledge for the Planet.

Author, podcaster, climate educator, and co-founder of BYO Cup Week Sarah Wilson, said change happens when we all do things that show we care.

“Carrying a keep cup is such a visual, influential statement of care. We started BYO Cup Week in Bondi because it’s an influential place…the cafe culture here is iconic. I’m thrilled the Waverley Council is supporting the legacy of what we started,” Wilson said.

Sondra Beram, co-founder of BYO Cup Week and the owner of bRu Coffee at North Bondi, said transitioning away from single-use cups had been long but worthwhile journey.

"Now our customers know where we stand and are proud to be a part of this community movement. It’s a no-brainer, I can save anywhere between $600- $1,000 a week now that I am not ordering single-use cups. If we can do it, as a takeaway café, anyone can!” Ms Beram said.

“Our message to Waverley is simple: Ditch single-use packaging to help save our environment one reusable cup at a time,” Mayor Masselos said.

To find out more visit https://hellobondi.com.au/eco-tourism/eco-business/.