A LOCAL roastery will be the first company in Australia to launch plastic-free takeaway coffee cups.

A Brisbane manufacturer approached Zentveld’s roastery, based in the North Coast hinterland, to see if they would like to be the first brand to adopt the plastic-free cup.

Conscious that one billion cups are dumped into landfill each year, owner Rebecca Zentveld accepted in a heartbeat, eager to work towards an
environmental cause.

The cups with a waterbased coat have been designed to fit into existing recycling streams and are now being trialled in some local cafes.

“The cups work beautifully with milk-based drinks,” Ms Zentveld said. “I would recommend a double cup for a long black.”

Once coffee drinkers have their last sip, they empty the cup, flatten it and place it in the compost or recycling bin.

Cups will be rolled out to at least 30 cafes across the region soon. The cups are an improvement on mineral-lined and polylactic acid-lined cups, but they’re not the ultimate solution, Ms Zentveld said.

If coffee drinkers choose to use a lid, they would need to use a standard plastic lid.

Ms Zentveld endorses reusable cups over recyclable cups.

“Personally, I drink out of china and glass all day long, we are strong supporters of using Keep Cups,” Ms Zentveld said.

“If we must have a takeaway cup, at least we can recycle the cup properly.”

REBECCA FIST
rebecca.first@northernstar.com.au