NSW government scraps law forcing cafes to offer mugs instead of cups
The NSW government will scrap a law forcing cafes to offer mugs and glasses instead of takeaway cups.
The NSW government has abandoned plans to force cafes to offer customers mugs or glasses when dining in. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the government would repeal the mug and glass requirement.
Businesses that did not participate in a reusable cup scheme faced a potential $110,000 fine. The change comes after small business owners and News Corp Australia criticised the policy.
Premier Chris Minns had defended the rules, saying he uses disposable cups himself. The reform was designed to cut plastic waste.
Sydney's landfill is projected to run out by 2030. Two other measures remain: cafes must accept customers' own reusable cups and single-use takeaway cups must be recyclable by 2028.
The repeal will not take effect until after the March 2027 election.
- $110,000
- Potential fine amount
- One week after parliament passed it
- Time reversed
- 2028
- Compliance deadline
Why it mattersThis reversal signals the government's willingness to backtrack on environmental rules when businesses push back, just months before an election where it faces strong competition.
AustraliaNSW cafe owners will not face new cup-handling rules, but must still make their takeaway cups recyclable and accept customer reusable cups.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
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