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Bermagui leads the way with Australia’s first single-use coffee cup ban

Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick has congratulated Bermagui for making history as the first town in Australia to ban single-use coffee cups.

In Australia, 90% of single use coffee cups end up in landfill.

In Australia, 90% of single use coffee cups end up in landfill.

18 December 2024

Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick has congratulated Bermagui for making history as the first town in Australia to ban single-use coffee cups.

Spearheaded by local café owners and social campaigners, Good Reusables, the initiative is set to keep more than 77,000 disposable coffee cups from the Bega Valley’s landfill this summer.

"Sometimes it takes a small group of dedicated people to make a bold decision that sparks meaningful change," Mayor Fitzpatrick said.

"The forward-thinking actions of businesses and the Bermagui community have the potential to inspire transformative change far beyond the Bega Valley."

Australians dispose of more than 1 billion single-use coffee cups every year, with most ending up in landfill.

Council’s Waste Strategy Coordinator, Tim Cook said despite their appearance, disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic, making them unsuitable for recycling.

“The environmental impact is significant, with cups taking hundreds of years to break down, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions, litter and pollution of waterways,” Mr Cook said.

“We support waste education campaigns in schools and the broader community, and Bermagui’s example of real grass-roots action is an incredible milestone towards a cleaner future.

“Having an entire community tackle waste management head-on is a significant step in the right direction.”

Mayor Fitzpatrick said the single-use coffee cup ban is already in place and receiving widespread support from businesses, visitors and the Bermagui community.

“We’re excited to see where Bermagui’s journey leads and how it will shape the future of waste management in Australia,” he said.

“It bears the hallmark of a similar campaign in the small community of Coles Bay in Tasmania, which made history in 2003 as Australia’s first community to ban single-use plastic bags.

“What began as a local initiative grew into a nationwide movement, leading entire states to implement similar bans. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Bermagui’s efforts ignite a similar wave of awareness and action around waste management."

Discover more about Council’s engaging school waste education program and explore The Cuppa, an interactive story about single-use coffee cup waste, by visiting Council’s website.

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