From January 2028, NSW takeaway spots must accept clean customer-owned reusable cups at no extra charge under the new Environmental Legislation Amendment Bill, with fines up to $110,000 for non-compliance.
Larger businesses will need to offer reusables by 2030, but small ones get exemptions from providing them—though critics highlight added cleaning, storage, and hygiene headaches without cost recovery.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe clarifies no single-use cup ban exists, just a recyclability push, amid trials and a Sydney reuse precinct to tackle 835 million discarded cups yearly. Opposition and advocates call it burdensome red tape on struggling operators.
