Griffith businesses like Vaccaris and Amanti di Caffe are coming on board with the war on waste.
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Amanti Di Caffe owners Elise and Tim Mcintosh were inspired to join the cause after viewing a program on the ABC, and have had some great responses and feedback from their customers.
“Tim and I saw the war on Waste episode about Coffee Cups, and with 80 per cent of our coffee sales using take-away cups – it was really a no-brainer for us to get involved in any way we could” Mrs Mcintosh said.
“We were under the impression that coffee cups were recyclable...and there is still so much confusion about the issue, even after the program – so we joined the responsible cafe initiative to reward our customers with a 10% discounts for bringing their own cups.”
They want their customers to know that they are definitely not obliged to use these reusable cups, however it’s a great way to save money and reduce waste for those wanting to.
“Along with our 10 per cent discount, we have ordered our own Amanto di Caffe thermos cups which will be available to customers soon, and for our regular app and text order customers, we are also looking to implement an exchange program.”
Australia is one of the most wasteful nations in the developed world, and the waste we generate is about twice the rate of our population.
The Responsible Cafe organisation believes that cafes can reduce or eliminate disposable coffee cups by offering a discount to customers with reusable cups.
“Contrary to popular belief, takeaway coffee cups are rarely recycled and only rarely composted due to inadequate industrial composting facilities and the difficulty of getting the cups/lids there” the organisation states.
“Our goal is to change the game on single-use waste by nurturing a culture of reuse.”
Vaccaris Bakery, while not involved with this initiative, is trying to eliminate waste by donating left over break to the Carevan and the Soup kitchen.
Owner Jason Vaccari says that a lot of businesses would be on board with initiative to reduce waste if there was more knowledge about the appropriate ways to recycle.
“(The Carevan) take most of our left over bread to give it to the kids to take home, so the morning or for a few days, and the soup kitchen, the bread is put out with the soup.”
“We don’t know what to do, we are stuck, so there needs to be more information for businesses like ourselves who would probably be more than happy to be on board.”
Rebecca Penninga from the Griffith Community Center is a huge advocate of recycling and reducing waste, and encourages businesses and community members to do everything they can.
“We are trying to start really little, by encouraging people to come to meetings with their own cup...we can’t afford a recycling bin at the community center, but now we have split the jobs between us, so I bring all the paper to the recycling, and other bring all their paper and bottles to their recycling bin at home” Ms Penninga said.
“So we are doing whatever we can not to have any paper cups, plastics, and recycling everything that goes through the center.”
For cafe owners looking to get involved with the Responsible Cafe’s initiative, head to http://www.responsiblecafes.org/