Port Stephens is one of seven Hunter councils that have signed up to take part in a new swap-and-go coffee scheme which aims to become disposable cup free.
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Green Caffeen, the swap-and-go coffee cup scheme, has this month launched a partnership with the Hunter Joint Organisation to make it easier for coffee drinkers in the region to enjoy a takeaway coffee without the eco guilt.
"Green Caffeen's cups are based on the philosophy of the circular economy and are made from recycled materials," said Bob Pynsent, Hunter Joint Organisation board chair and Cessnock City Council mayor.
"The Hunter region is... working towards transitioning to a circular economy to reduce waste to landfill and innovate in industry.
"Single-use coffee cups don't fit the bill when it comes to a reuse economy, so we've partnered with swap-and-go pioneers Green Caffeen to help Hunter cafes and communities make their next cup of coffee circular.
"Delivered as part of the Hunter Joint Organisation's regional Small Acts Big Change program, Green Caffeen offers an Australian-made, sustainable, cup reuse scheme free of charge for cafes and coffee drinkers."
Other Hunter councils that have signed up to the initiative are Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Singleton, Maitland, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter.
Port Stephens Council has now opted into the scheme, but Green Caffeen cups are not new to the area.
Plastic Free Port Stephens introduced the scheme early in 2020 with Crest at Birubi Beach, Little Boathouse at Nelson Bay and Little Pantry Co at Medowie signing up to participate.
The goal of Green Caffeen is to 'design out' waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use as long as possible.
Once a cup reaches the end of its viable life, Green Caffeen collects the old cups and recycles them into new cups.
All consumers need to do is download the Green Caffeen app, sign up, grab a reusable cup from a participating cafe and then return the cup to any Green Caffeen cafe within 30 days.
It is easy for cafes to participate. There is no fee to join the scheme.
"We're excited to be able to bring Green Caffeen on a large scale to the Hunter region," Damien Clarke, co-founder of Green Caffeen, said.
"Green Caffeen is a simple concept that allows both cafes and coffee and tea drinkers the chance to transition away from single use cups and join with thousands of other Aussies making the change from one use to reuse. The Green Caffeen app is here to make reusing simple, convenient and accessible to all without needing to remember, wash or store your own cup."
Port Stephens cafes that want to up their green game can sign up at greencaffeen.com.au/cafe-join.
Coffee drinkers can find participating Green Caffeen cafes at greencaffeen.com.au/cafe-finder.