Aussie hospitality figures lash out at proposed reusable cup laws over fears of extra costs to businesses: ‘It’s a logistical nightmare’

New South Wales plans to require food-service businesses to accept customers’ reusable cups from 2028, with large businesses also required to offer a reusable option from 2030. Hospitality representatives say the rules could add costs and create practical problems, particularly around collecting, replacing and cleaning cups.

Small businesses would be exempt from having to offer reusable cups, but would still need to accept cups brought in by customers. Cafe owner Marino Plagiotis questioned how a return or deposit system would work, while Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said replacing disposable cups at scale would be operationally difficult and costly. The state government says the plastics plan has been under consultation for three years.