Cafe Owners In Australia Teaming Up To Fight Against Plastic Pollution

There have been widespread campaigns against using non-plastic bags to protect the environment and the Earth’s inhabitants from the effects of rapid climatic changes. The pandemic improved the popularity of single-use plastics to avoid contamination concerns.

The pandemic hit the cafe industry hard, prompting increased use of single-use plastics to reduce contamination that may pass from one person to the next. Estimated Australian usage of disposable coffee cups stood at a billion, with chances of rising during the pandemic.

Single-use coffee cups have a non-recyclable lining making them less eco-friendly.

Scientists project the availability of more plastic than fish in oceans by 2050 hence the need for everyone to work united in protecting marine life. Simple steps toward reducing plastic pollution include avoiding single-use coffee cups with plastic linings. Researchers project that 9 of 10 disposable cups are littered or dumped before they reach waterways.

Restaurants and cafes should improvise to reduce the number of single-use coffee cups ending up in litter areas and landfills. The change may involve reshaping corporate social responsibilities, investing against single-use plastic cups, and encouraging change among clients through incentives for clients visiting the cafe with refillable cups.

Responsible Cafes is an initiative that has created a simplified rating system for cafes based on responsible actions judged on their contribution toward a healthier environment. They also provide waste education tools that guide individual cafes on effective waste management and guide towards sustainable decision-making.

Commercial partners and over 50 councils across Australia continue establishing partnerships with Responsible Cafes to improve and protect the environment.