Overview
War on Waste, you've done it again. Inspired by your piles of never-tasted bananas, mountains of seldom-worn clothing and tonnes of discarded plastic, Tonic Lane, a cafe in Neutral Bay, has brought in a ban on free disposable coffee cups.
For owner Lain Tapsall, the decision isn't just a simple change, it's an entire revolution, which she's dubbed the Mug Movement. Her hope is to get customers thinking about our waste problem, not only at her cafe, but globally too.
The ban kicks off on Tuesday, August 1, after a month-long run-up. "It's been a strong prelaunch in the 'hood to educate the regulars about our simple project to 'say no to paper cups'," says Tapsall. "We have felt the love."
Customers have a few options, when it comes to getting their beverage. They can bring their own cup, for which they'll receive a reward of two stamps on their loyalty card. They can grab a free mug from the cafe's mug shelf, with no obligation to return it, or they can buy a reusable cup for $5. Last and definitely least, it's possible to buy a disposable Biocup for 50 cents (that's a pretty serious coffee tax), of which 25 cents will be donated to Clean Up Australia.
"Thus far, we have sold over 150 reusable cups in our four-week lead-up to the launch, and we have a solid supply of donated mugs for our 'No Return Required Mug Shelf'," says Tapsall.
Pop along to Tonic Lane for the official launch of Mug Movement. Take your own cup to score a $1 coffee and hang out with ambassadors from Clean Up Australia and Responsible Cafes, who'll be chatting about waste and reuse.
Find Tonic Lane Café and Ginoteria at Shop 6, 8 Young Lane, Neutral Bay.