A group of 45 cafes around the western Sydney region, including five from the Hawkesbury, are leading the way toward a greener future.
Together with coffee lovers around the region, they have saved almost 30,000 single use takeaway cups from going to landfill in the first year of a 'Refill Don't Landfill' swap-and-go reusable cup program.
Last year Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) partnered with Australian sustainability group, Green Caffeen, to introduce program to council areas within the group, including the Hawkesbuy.
The premise was that the program would be a way to reduce waste, while helping the cafes save money.
As well as the cafes, more than 1000 coffee drinkers throughout the western Sydney region downloaded and registered, using the Green Caffeen app.
The total cup saving equates to nearly 300 full bins, which would have gone to landfill. It is estimated the carbon offset is 1.63Tonnes.
It has been so successful that WSROC has extended its participation for another six months.
WSROC president and Hawkesbury Councillor Brarry Calvert said that the results were remarkable and reflected on the region's dedication to finding more ways to reduce waste.
"We know that single use plastics are harmful to the environment and to the health of the planet, yet in Australia alone, more than a billion single use takeaway cups are sent to landfill every year," he said. "It takes a concerted effort between businesses, government and people to deliver change.
"Despite the challenges of COVID-19, businesses continued to adapt and support the program. These results were achieved in a year of unprecedented social and commercial challenges, yet we have seen these substantial results.
"I commend our region's cafes and communities for signing up and persisting throughout those trying times and I look forward to the results to come."
Hawkesbury cafes taking part in the program are: Windsor Bridge Cafe, Cassiopeia Specialty Coffee Roasters and George St Loft, all in George Street, Windsor, The Rail Cafe in East Market Street, Richmond, and Piccolo Me Hawkesbury at WSU Richmond.
For more details about the program, including how to sign up, visit greencaffeen.com.au.