Denmark Shire announces reusable coffee cup network to complement last year's mug library

The Shire of Denmark is tackling its zero-waste goals by introducing a reusable coffee cup network to complement last year’s mug library.

Continuing its collaboration with community activist group Plastic Reduction Denmark, the shire is offering a three-month subsidy on the ReturnR subscription and starter pack program.

The network allows customers to buy coffee from participating businesses in a reusable ReturnR mug for a refundable deposit.

They can then return the mug to a participating local business to get the deposit or refill the cup.

The network is a collaborative project between the shire, Plastic Reduction Denmark, Green Pantry and ReturnR in an effort to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics.

Participating businesses include the Green Pantry, Teahouse Books, Ravens, Tarifa, Shell, Reminisce Cafe, Strickland French Hot Bakery and Denmark Gelato.

Green Pantry’s Cressida Rebinich said the scheme was a win-win for both customers as well as staff.

“It’s simple to implement, happy customers, happy staff and reducing unnecessary waste,” she said.

The network scheme aligns with the WA Government’s plan for plastics, which will see coffee shops using compostable takeaway lids in 2024.

Shire of Denmark sustainability officer Yvette Caruso said there had been broad community support for introducing the reusable coffee cup network solution to complement the mug library.

“A reusable coffee cup network is ideally suited to a town the size of Denmark as a great way to encourage the community, and visiting tourists, to embrace reusables, rather than single-use disposables,” she said.

“The customer has the option of paying a refundable $6 deposit for a stainless-steel coffee cup and can choose to return and be refunded the deposit or refill the coffee cup at participating cafe retailers.”

Co-ordinator of Plastic Reduction Denmark Karen Andersson said the choice of the RenturnR cup had been carefully researched.

“Many folk may think we have been doing well with the transition from some plastics to alternatives, however, it’s important to understand these replacements are not a panacea,” she said.

“Whether corn, bamboo or other single-use items, their production can be responsible for loss of soil health through mono-cropping and chemical use, taking food production land usually in poor communities, plus the pollution during transport and disposal.

“The majority end up in landfill or as litter, most cannot be home-composted and don’t make it to the intended destination of industrial compost systems.

“Put simply, there is no excuse for single use, so choosing an option like the ReturnR cup is one way to address our throw-away habit.”