Bermagui has made history as the first town in Australia to ban single-use coffee cups, a move that has earned praise from Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick.
The initiative, led by local café owners and the social campaign group Good Reusables, aims to prevent over 77,000 disposable coffee cups from ending up in the Bega Valley’s landfill this summer.
Mayor Fitzpatrick commended the effort, saying, “Sometimes it takes a small group of dedicated people to make a bold decision that sparks meaningful change.” He added that the actions of Bermagui’s businesses and community could inspire similar movements across the country.
In Australia, more than 1 billion single-use coffee cups are thrown away each year, most of which end up in landfills. Tim Cook, the Council’s Waste Strategy Coordinator, explained that these cups are coated with plastic, making them non-recyclable.
“The environmental impact is significant, with cups taking hundreds of years to break down. This leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions, increased litter, and pollution of waterways,” Mr. Cook said.
He also praised Bermagui’s community-led effort, calling it a “significant milestone toward a cleaner future.” Cook emphasized the importance of waste education and pointed to the town’s grassroots campaign as a model for other communities.
The ban is already in effect, with strong support from local businesses, residents, and visitors. Mayor Fitzpatrick expressed excitement about the potential long-term impact of the initiative.
“We’re eager to see where Bermagui’s journey leads and how it could influence the future of waste management in Australia,” he said, drawing parallels to Coles Bay in Tasmania, which banned single-use plastic bags in 2003. Fitzpatrick believes Bermagui’s success could spark a similar nationwide movement, just as Coles Bay’s initiative did.
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