# NSW revises reusable cup rules after small business concerns

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/major-backflip-on-reusable-cup-laws-after-flood-of-backlash-from-struggling-small-businesses-over-nightmare-mandate/
- Published: 2026-10-28T07:03:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T07:17:18+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16244765/NSW-disposable-cup-cafe-law.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- NSW cafes can still use recyclable disposable cups from 2028.
- Dine-in customers must be offered a mug or glass.
- Small businesses will not have to buy extra cups.

## Summary

The NSW Government has softened its planned reusable coffee cup rules after small businesses objected to the cost and disruption. From 2028, cafes will still be able to serve dine-in customers in disposable cups, provided those cups are recyclable; customers must also be offered a mug or glass.

The earlier law prompted concern over potential fines of up to $110,000 for companies and $22,000 for individuals, as well as confusion that disposable cups would be banned outright. Small businesses will not have to buy extra cups or accept dirty reusable ones. The changes form part of a wider effort to reduce plastic waste: NSW used nearly 800 million single-use cups each year, while recycling just 14 per cent of its 891,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2022-23.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.