When it comes to reusable cups VS single-use coffee cups, most people think they’re making the “sustainable” choice by opting for compostable. But as cafe owners Tenzin and Fiona shared in a recent panel organised by Zero Waste Victoria, the reality is a lot more complicated – and a lot more inspiring.
☕ From Compostable Confusion to a Reusable Cup Revolution
Tenzin, who runs Boneless Cafe in regional town Bermagui in NSW, started with compostable cups and packaging. Like many of us, he believed that putting them into the council’s FOGO bin (Food Organics Garden Organics) meant they’d be properly composted. But over time, he found out none of it was actually being processed since NSW stopped accepting compostable packaging in the FOGO bin in 2022.
“We had a compostable bin… and then I found out that none of it was getting composted.”
Worse, they were paying more for compostable cups that just ended up in landfill—and even the recyclable ones had the same fate. This frustration became a turning point.
Around the same time, other local cafe owners were going through similar disappointment. Together, they decided to try something new: a community-wide switch to reusable cups with a $3 deposit system from Good Cup, a new startup we love founded by Jonas who is on a mission to end single-use in the hospitality industry, helping cafes and the planet along the way.
“Once it was clear that it wasn’t working, we thought—let’s just do this ourselves.”
How They Made Reusable Cups Work
One of the biggest surprises? Customers loved it.
“99% of people were like, ‘Wow, that is a great idea.’”
They weren’t deterred by the deposit model—in fact, many were happy to give more. Tenzin even set up a pay-it-forward jar in case someone didn’t have the $3 for a deposit.
“Basically no one takes money from the pay forward jar, but lots of people put money in.”
“People won’t even want their refund back from the cup… They say, ‘Just take it, that’s a tip for the coffee—you’re doing the right thing.’”
As for concerns about washing reusable cups?
“They just go in the dishwasher. It’s not any harder than washing a mug.”
Similarly, cafes partnering with the Good Cup reusable cups system have reported significant savings. For instance, Honorbread in NSW managed to save approximately $600 per month after adopting reusable cups, showcasing the economic benefits of sustainable practices.
Top 3 Tips From Tenzin
- Don’t let fear of change stop you
- Customers usually support positive change
- Focus on doing what you do really well, and the right people will stay
Check how much your cafe can save by using Good Cup calculator below. And if your cafe is an accredited Responsible Cafe, we’ve teamed up with Good Cup to offer your first 3 months FREE and get you set up with Good Cup reusable cups swap system. Click here for more info!
Building a Community Around Reuse
Fiona works with STREAT, a social enterprise with a strong sustainability and social impact mission. Their approach? Test, trial, and tailor.
Since 2019, they’ve experimented with everything from
- reusable cup libraries
- deposit system
- quick-sip community tables
- pricing disincentives for single use cup and incentives for people who BYO cups
- phasing out single use cups entirely at some of our key locations
- introducing signals where reusable is the norm with Reusables Tuesdays
- launching education and behaviour change campaign called Siptember
One of their biggest wins? Shifting behaviour through social norms:
“We created a wall of champions showing people who bring reusable cups, to make it the new normal.”
They also put big emphasis on staff as “reusable cup champions”, since baristas are the front line for culture shift. And while COVID threw a wrench in their plans to use 100% reusable cups in 2020, they bounced back with adaptive solutions like contactless cup handling.
Their key lessons?
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Don’t shame—celebrate. Reuse should feel good, not guilt-ridden.
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Make it easy. Place reminders and cup libraries close to exits or ordering points.
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Customise for context. What works in a corporate cafe may flop in a transient setting.
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Keep it playful. Challenges, posters, and friendly competitions go a long way.
The Takeaway: One Size Doesn’t Fit All – But Reusable Cups Can Work for All
Both Tenzin and Fiona prove that reusable systems don’t have to be complicated or scary. When done with intention and community buy-in, they’re not just sustainable—they’re more satisfying, human, and rewarding.
The big fear—that people will stop coming if you remove single-use cups—was totally unfounded:
“If you do what you do really well, people will align with that.”
Whether you’re a cafe owner or a coffee lover, the lesson is clear: change is not only possible—it’s contagious.
Passionate about composting and coloured bins/beans, Marion is the new captain of the Responsible Cafes ship in a post-covid world! She works hand in hand with councils, community groups and waste warriors to positively influence behaviour change and the future of packaging!