Councillors in the north Queensland town of Noosa have voted for a more sustainable future for the local coffee industry, encouraging businesses to rethink waste and pollution.
Following a rubbish audit in 2023, Noosa Shire Council has created a plan to remove single-use cups from council headquarters and encourage the public to give up the vessels on voluntary basis. According to ABC, the audit found coffee cups made up 20 per cent of littered items in Noosa Main Beach.
Noosa Councillor Amelia Lorentson has been instrumental in the coffee-cup ban and raised the issue after the recent Noosa Eat and Drink Festival.
“This is not about banning coffee cups. There are no penalties, no mandates, and no pressure. This is about education, not coercion,” says Councillor Lorenston.
“The motion I brought forward is about scaling up a program that’s already happening—one that’s working and giving it the support it needs to reach more businesses across the shire. It’s about helping, not forcing.”
The festival was organised by local café owner Ben Clarke who supports the transition to recyclable coffee cups.
“He’s leading the charge. It’s voluntary and it’s industry-led,” says Councillor Lorenston.
“The Council voted to support the work of Plastic Free Noosa, a program delivered by Tourism Noosa and funded through Council’s environmental grants. This program has already been working closely with local businesses to reduce single-use plastics, including coffee cups, through voluntary, practical steps.
“The motion simply gives this work broader visibility and formal support so more businesses across Noosa can access the information, resources, and ideas they need to transition, if they choose to.”
According to ABC, the motion passed four votes to three. The council believes it to be the first such initiative in Queensland.
However, not all Noosa councillors were on board with the vote, with some highlighting how the council lacked authority to force businesses to refrain from using disposable cups.
Councillor Tom Wegener stated that the motion did not have the “meat and bones” to make a difference.
