WAR ON WASTE V

COVID-19A GUIDE TO NAVIGATING REUSABLES AND CAFE

OPERATIONS DURING COVID-19

Since Responsible Cafes was flung into

Australian homes via TV’s during ABC's War onWaste, we have saved approximately 174 million*cups from landfill. Since then we have been chipping away at the reusable message

and starting to gain some great traction with reusable cups

becoming quite the norm… until Covid-19 hit and your reusable is

most likely sitting in your cupboard gaining dust! Can we save the

reusable message amongst the Covid-19 fear that has spread

through the cafe community? We have put together some myth

busting facts to help you navigate through this challenging time.

IS IT ILLEGAL TO USE A REUSABLE

COFFEE CUP IN A CAFE DUE TO

COVID-19?

Short answer is no! At the time of writing this guide

there is no known legislation that says a cafe can’t

accept a reusable container. In this document

published by the Victorian Government they quote:

"There is currently no evidence to suggestthere is any benefit in switching to

disposables. It is important that themeasures we take to minimise

transmission are effective. The mosteffective measures you can take arepractising good hand hygiene and

cleaning, with particular focus on shared,frequently touched surfaces."

HOW LONG DOES COVID-19

LAST ON SURFACES?

Recent research shows that the virus can live for up to

72 hours on hard shiny surfaces (glass counters, plastic

containers etc) and 24 hours on porous surfaces (paper

cups, cardboard etc). The big thing to remember is to

clean surfaces properly following Australian food safety

standards, keeping your staff and customers safe.

WWW.RESPONSIBLECAFES.ORG

No – not if the reusable has been washed properly and

handled correctly. There is nothing to say that a single

use cup has not been infected during it’s life cycle and

during the exchange to a customer.

ARE SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS

SAFER THAN RESUABLE?

IS THIS THE END OF THE REUSABLE REVOLUTION?

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO

REDUCE SINGLE USE PLASTIC

WASTE DURING THIS TIME?

TRY THISAsk customers if they want a lid on their coffee? That

pesky plastic lid is a huge litter bug and ends up on

many of Australia’s beautiful shore lines. Let’s try and

avoid this. Download this poster from our website,

print off and pop up if you think it is appropriate for

your customers. It might put a few smiles on faces too! 

OR

Explore the use of compostable grade containers that

people can compost at home. Check out our website

for more info on sustainable containers.

OR

If you are running takeaway services ditch the plastic

cutlery and condiments! 

TRY THIS Ask customers to place their cup on the counter and

pour the shot/milk in it for them.

ORIf your customers are not allowed close to the coffee

serving counter, you can pour the coffee into one of

your drink-in cups, walk it over the customer and pour

this into their

cup for them.

OR

Look into some great cup swap schemes -

contact if you want more info on which

company would suit your cafe.

NO WAY! We are just getting started. We are all responsible for our actions

and we are working to adapt our program and work with the industry to

meet the changing needs of the community. If you want to support what we

do head please head to Responsiblecafes.org to find out more.

HOW CAN I

SERVE A

CONTACTLESS

COFFEE IN A

REUSABLE ?