Charles Sturt University (CSU) is about to make a big push to reduce single-use coffee cups at its campuses including at Dubbo.
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Patrons who bring their own reusable mug to the cafe on campus will be rewarded with discounts from August 1.
CSU Green manager Edward Maher called on students and staff to get on board.
It’s one of a number of campaigns the university will launch this year to reduce its environmental impact.
“So CSU as part of its ongoing commitment to a range of sustainability-type causes is looking to reduce the use of single-use packaging and plastic bags particularly across its campuses,” Mr Maher said.
“...We’re about to instigate a big push on minimising single-use disposable coffee cups across our on-campus cafes, with our cafe outlets offering significant discounts to people who bring along their own reusable cups.
“And we’re also going to move towards phasing out the use of plastic bags at any of our on-campus retail outlets as well.
“So again, encouraging people to bring along their own bag and reduce single-use plastics.”
Mr Maher said it was another part of CSU’s commitment as Australia’s only certified carbon-neutral university.
The harm caused by single-use coffee cups and other plastics has been in the national spotlight in recent weeks.
Dubbo Macquarie River Bushcare members have encouraged coffee lovers to ditch single-use cups and cafes have told of increased interest among patrons in reusable options.
NetWaste kicked off a #BYOCUP campaign to put an end to the millions of single-use cups going into landfill each year.
Dubbo Regional Council is supporting the effort, which had nine Dubbo cafes taking part within weeks of it beginning on June 26.
Dubbo South Public School also became a hotspot for refusing, reducing, reusing and recycling enthusiasm in recent weeks.
Its wave of change was being led by music teacher Alexandra Prince, who was moved by the recent War on Waste series on ABC.