New South Wales drops reusable cup law after backlash

The New South Wales government has abandoned a plan to require cafes to offer mugs and glasses instead of disposable takeaway cups, The Guardian reported. The Chris Minns administration also scrapped a proposal that would have forced businesses to join a reusable cup scheme, a breach of which could have attracted fines of up to $110,000. The environment minister said “we need to clear this up,” indicating the decision was a response to criticism from media and the business community. The move reverses earlier legislation that aimed to curb single‑use cup waste by mandating reusable options for dine‑in customers. By pulling the measure, the state avoids imposing the proposed penalties on establishments that might have struggled to comply.

The reversal follows a wave of backlash that questioned the practicality and enforcement of the scheme.

Why it matters

The decision removes a potential financial penalty for businesses and halts a policy intended to reduce single‑use cup waste in New South Wales.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

28 Oct 2026, 06:08 IST

Key names

Chris Minns, Follow, Australian, South Wales

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The Guardian‘I use disposable cups’: Chris Minns backflips on takeaway coffee cups after media and business backlash 28 Oct, 06:08

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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