Collaborative effort in Shire of Denmark to combat single-use containers

The Shire of Denmark is set to begin a three-month subsidised rollout of the ReturnR program for local beverage businesses.

The initiative will involve replacing single-use coffee cups with reusable stainless steel ones.

The project, undertaken with community activist group Plastic Reduction Denmark, marks further efforts by the Shire towards zero waste and is in alignment with the State Government’s Plan for Plastics.

The subsidy will involve drink retailers being offered a free subscription to the ReturnR program.

“The customer has the option of paying a refundable $6 deposit for a stainless steel coffee cup and can choose to return and be refunded the deposit or refill the coffee cup at participating cafe retailers,” Shire of Denmark sustainability officer Yvette Caruso said.

“A reuseable coffee cup network is ideally suited to a town the size of Denmark.”

The subsidy follows the Shire’s mug library initiative, which donated reuseable mugs to several Denmark cafes.