The New South Wales government has reversed a planned law that would have required cafés to offer customers the option of mugs or glasses when they dine in, following criticism from the media and the hospitality industry.
Environment Minister Chris Minns said the legislation would be scrapped, adding that “we need to clear this up.” The change means cafés will no longer be forced to provide reusable cups for in‑house consumption.
The original proposal also included a mandatory reusable‑cup scheme for businesses, with a fine of up to $110,000 for non‑compliance. That penalty was removed as part of the policy reversal.
The decision comes after a wave of backlash from café owners and other stakeholders who argued that the measures were overly burdensome and would increase costs.
New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, has been at the centre of debates over plastic waste reduction and the role of government regulation in encouraging sustainable practices.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
