Now, we've all got a soft spot for the convenience of the classic paper cup, especially in Australia where we love our outdoor cafe culture. But here's the rub: we Aussies go through almost a billion disposable cups each year—that's about 2.7 million cups every single day!
Compounding things, as a society our waste production is on the rise, and we're only managing to recycle about 60% of it. That means a whole bunch of those cups and, even worse, their plastic lids are ending up in places they shouldn't; like filling up landfills and clogging our beautiful rivers and oceans.
It's going to be interesting to see how this big change in WA shakes things up for the better in the world of takeaway drinks, and whether the other states and territories of Australia will get on board with similar legislation.
Sure it'll be a tricky few months of acceptance and adaption, but ultimately when it comes down to it, aiming for true "sustainable sustainability" means embracing these small shifts in how we all do things; whether it's keeping a reusable cup in your bag, on your desk, in your car, or even with the baby stroller... it's these small steps we can take as individuals that lead to genuine change for all. After all, it's the little things we do better together that keep us moving forward. Forever.
Way to go WA!