Chris Minns reverses NSW reusable cup laws after backlash

The New South Wales government has reversed a decision to force cafes to offer reusable mugs or glasses to diners who stayed in, after pressure from small businesses and News Corp Australia. The legislation, which was passed by the Labor government of Chris Minns last week, would have required such cafes to offer mugs or glasses from 2028 and risked fines of up to $110,000 for not taking part in a reusable cup scheme.

The plan was part of the government’s broader effort to reduce plastic waste as Sydney’s landfill was projected to run out by 2030.

On Wednesday, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the government would repeal the mug and glass laws and would not proceed with the fine. She said the government had concluded it did not need to mandate the changes. The government said a separate rule requiring businesses to accept customers’ clean reusable cups would remain, as would a requirement that single-use takeaway cups be recyclable by 2028.

Mr Minns had defended the legislation on Tuesday, saying the government was not removing disposable cups from anywhere and acknowledged it had not explained the policy well. On Wednesday, after speaking with Ms Sharpe, he agreed not to proceed with the mandatory measures.

The legislation will not be repealed until after the March 2027 state election. Only two sitting weeks remain before parliament is dissolved.

Opposition leaders said they would repeal the laws if elected next year, describing them as an added burden on businesses. The Greens environment spokesperson, Sue Higginson, criticised the premier’s decision, calling it a coffee cup captain’s call. Boomerang Alliance director Jeff Angel said the backdown followed a federal government decision to drop a packaging reform aimed at reducing plastic waste.

Ms Sharpe asked the NSW Environment Protection Authority to issue a statement of regulatory intent clarifying that the government was not progressing with the changes.

Source: The Guardian.