NSW government could force cafes to accept reusable cups
The NSW Government is floating a range of ideas to phase out plastic litter, including legislating for cafes and fast-food restaurants to accept reusable cups.
The government has launched an action plan aimed at reducing plastic litter in the state by 30% by 2025.
Currently, only 14% of the 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated in NSW in 2022/23 was recycled, equating to a staggering 110kg per person.
The plan, which is open for feedback from industry and the community, includes several key measures:
- Cafés and fast-food outlets will be required to accept reusable cups by the end of 2027.
- Single-use plastic cups must be recyclable by the same deadline.
- Items such as plastic pizza savers, lollipop sticks, bread tags, and helium balloons will be phased out.
- Fruit and vegetable stickers will need to be compostable.
“We all want a healthier environment for humans and animals, with fewer problematic plastics,” Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.
Sharpe warned that unless drastic action was taken, there would be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
“The phase-out of certain single-use plastics in NSW in 2019 has resulted in a 77 per cent reduction in the number of banned single-use plastic items found in litter, but there are still too many takeaway food containers and plastic drink bottle lids strewn across our environment,” Sharpe said.
Jonathan Jackson, 10th September 2024
