The Territory Labor Government is continuing to reduce single use plastics with a trial underway for cafes to offer reusable coffee cups to their customers.
A tender has been awarded to THE GOOD GOOD WAY for $23,825 to work with Territory cafes and food and beverage outlets to trial a reusable coffee cup system and reduce the reliance on take away cups.
The trial will allow cafes to introduce a reusable cup system and learn how it can be integrated into their business as an alternative to take away cups. Coffee lovers can simply borrow a cup for a small deposit and return it at any participating café.
The trial will run until July and if successful businesses can choose to continue. It is hoped up to 30 businesses will take part.
Reducing single use plastics is part of the Territory Labor Government’s plan to create a circular economy. It is expected 52,500 single use coffee cups and lids will be prevented from going into landfill during the trial.
In Budget 2024, the Circular Economy Strategy 2022-27 received $300,000. The Strategy encourages innovation and adoption of reuse, resource recovery and recycling technology through partnerships and collaborations.
The Territory Government has committed to phasing out certain problematic single use plastics by 2025.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden:
“We know there are alternatives to single use plastics that we have become accustomed to using for so long.
“This trial will encourage cafes to get on board and test out how a reuse system for reusable coffee cups can work for their business.
“The Circular Economy Strategy is in place to turn waste into a valuable resource, which means it is kept out of the environment where it can cause harm and inside the economy where it can create value, jobs and growth.”
Quote from Jonas Benedikt, Director of THE GOOD GOOD WAY
“We are excited to bring our solution to the NT, helping cafes and coffee drinkers cut down on single-use waste for clean waterways and healthy forests. Join us in making a positive impact with our convenient borrow-and-return system – one reusable cup at a time.”
Northern Territory Government