Case study: Butterbox Café's mug library

The Butterbox mug library saves an average of 100 cups and 100 lids from landfill every week. This reduces packaging costs by $25 a week, which adds up to $1,300 a year.

While the financial benefits drive Martin Arrisueno’s ongoing commitment, he is quick to stress that businesses need to be in it for the long game. "It’s a slow trickle, not an instant injection of money into your pocket. Financially, the benefits might come in dribs and drabs but if you look at the bigger picture, every one of those cups and lids saves you 25 cents. It’s money you can keep and at the moment every cent counts."

The other benefits include the opportunity to do his bit for the environment – and to let like-minded people know the café is doing something for the planet, too. He is also happy modelling sustainable behaviour to his children. "I want my kids to see this is who we are and what we do, and I want them to continue to do it."

Everything about the Butterbox Café reminds customers that their every choice can make a difference to the local and global environment, including:

• a free mug library and eye-catching signage that champions reuse
• displays of reusable cups that are available to buy
• discounts for bringing your own reusables
• meaningful conversations at the till and beyond.

Martin Arrisueno believes the secret to success is to put the effort in, over and again. "Not many people are doing a mug library, and most people ask how it works when they see it. We explain what the mug library's for, how it works and what the outcome is, and they think it's a great initiative."

The team is determined to call out single-use cups for what they are: "We don't call them 'take-away cups,' we call them rubbish. That's what really drives it home because a takeaway cup doesn't sound so bad. It's a piece of rubbish and we call it what it is."

The ongoing effort is certainly paying off. "On the weekend, we have mug library cups on the bench ready to go. It's such a joy to see no takeaway cups on your bench. Sometimes we run out of cups, and we can't wash them quick enough, so we lend out our dine-in cups to people who … understand the system."

Customers who use the mug library for take-aways are often spotted standing out the front of the cafe, drinking their coffee and having a chat to other customers. Those who prefer a single-use cup because they are driving and want it to fit in the holder, are offered a keep cup from a stockpile that was donated to the café. "We can say, 'We've got a reusable take-away cup, bring it back … or don't bring it back and then you've got one'."

There will always be those who still choose single use, even in areas where reusables have really gained ground. The team will "have a little quick go at changing their mind" before letting it go. "You can't let the small minority bring you down. They are not of the same mindset. Collaboratively, we're all going to get there eventually. Some are taking the long path."