Cafe reprieve: NSW dumps dine-in reusable cup mandate
Cafes in New South Wales have been spared from offering dine-in customers a mug or glass, after the state government dropped a key plank of its new plastic reduction law following pushback from small business.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe confirmed that a provision requiring venues to provide standard reusable glassware or crockery for dine-in tea and coffee from 2030 has been abandoned.
“We’ve listened to the concerns raised by small businesses about reusable coffee cup reforms, and we’re making changes to give them certainty and confidence,” Sharpe said.
“I can confirm that cafes will not be required to offer a mug or glass to dine-in customers. The legislation was designed to give customers the option of a mug or glass when enjoying a coffee in a cafe, rather than only being offered a disposable takeaway cup.
“But we’ve heard the concerns from small businesses, and we won’t be requiring cafes to purchase any additional cups or change the way they operate.”
No mandatory reuse schemes
The government has also ruled out mandatory reusable cup schemes, under which cafes partner with providers so customers can borrow a cup.
“We’re also making it clear that there will be no mandatory reusable cup schemes. These schemes allow cafes to partner with cup providers so customers can borrow a reusable cup,” said Sharpe.
“We were planning exemptions for small businesses to any future reuse schemes – but to remove all concern, we’re making it clear that there will be no mandatory reuse schemes.
“Some businesses are already choosing to do this on their own, and they are welcome to do so. And to be absolutely clear, the NSW government has never proposed banning single-use takeaway coffee cups. They will be made recyclable, so they can go in the yellow bin,” she said.
What still applies to operators
Takeaway coffee cups are not banned, but from 2028 they must be recyclable. From 2028, cafes will also need to accept KeepCups for takeaway when customers present clean and hygienic cups to staff.
Non-recyclable disposable coffee cups, and those containing harmful chemicals, will be banned or phased out over coming years.
Other measures include an immediate ban on the mass release of balloons at events such as funerals and weddings. Restrictions to be phased in cover plastic lollipop sticks, plastic ties on bread bags, untethered lids on plastic bottles accepted in return-and-earn schemes, non-compostable stickers on fruit and vegetables, and plastic microbeads in beauty and cleaning products.
Joanthan Jackson, 28th October 2026
