Western Australia will be the first state to ban the use of plastic-lined coffee cups and lids, but there are worries that this will increase the cost of customers’ caffeine fix.
In February of next year, the second phase of the state’s single-use plastics ban will begin.
Other items in the firing line include polystyrene cups, plastic cotton buds, and produce bags for loose fruits and vegetables.
However, since customers have already been paying more for recent price increases on coffee beans, cafés will have to pass the cost of the changes on to them.
In Perth’s Muzz Buzz drive-through coffee chain, Warren Reynolds has begun switching out plastic cups for biodegradable goods from China and Vietnam.
However, the upgrade is costing him 10% to 20% more.
Customers must bear the cost; retailers cannot absorb it without going out of business, Mr. Reynolds told The West Australian.
Alternatives to plastic cups include “keep cups” and a sign-up program called “swap and go,” where drinkers use a cup and then return it to a participating store.
As an alternative, disposable paperboard-lined cups are also a possibility.
The biodegradable cups, in Mr. Reynolds’ opinion, were the more practical choice.
There have been discussions about cup swapping, but they are absurd. The franchise chairman declared that this kind of behavior is ineffective.
Keep cups are ineffective as well because people bring them back into the building and they are filthy. It’s disgusting what you see in some cases.
He claimed that disposable, degradable cups are the way of the future and that he uses them.
When WA banned light-weight plastic shopping bags, the state’s campaign to eliminate plastics officially began four years ago.
According to a government survey released last week, 190 million single-use coffee cups with lids are used annually in West Australia.
Plastic cups for cold beverages are due to be phased out starting next month, and violators face penalties of up to $5,000.
Customers are already paying extra to compensate the increase in coffee bean costs when the cup restrictions are implemented.
Brazil, which produces 40% of the world’s coffee, has experienced droughts and icy weather, which have caused a shortage of the beans.
This month, the dairy sector also warned that because of dire personnel shortages, milk prices might increase by 30% and shoot far over the rate of inflation.
Other states are also enacting plastic restrictions in the meantime.
NSW passed a law banning thin plastic bags in June of last year, but as of now, there are no plans to gradually phase out plastic coffee cups.
Since September of last year, Queensland has prohibited the use of single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and plates, and it is eager to phase out the usage of hot beverage cups.
In February 2023, the Victorian government will outlaw single-use plastic straws, stirrers, plates, and cotton bud sticks, however it has not yet committed to outlawing single-use plastic coffee cups.
The second part of the phase-out of the cups is expected to have a transition time of six to 18 months, according to WA.