Why waste reduction has become a café priority
Across Australia, local cafés are under growing pressure to reduce waste without disrupting daily service. Customers are paying closer attention to what their food and drinks are served in, while councils and landlords continue to tighten waste management expectations.
Compostable cups and bowls have become one of the most practical ways cafés respond to these demands. They empower businesses to make a positive environmental impact by reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions and minimising their carbon footprint, while still delivering the speed, consistency and presentation customers expect.
Waste reduction through packaging helps cafés:
- Cut down landfill contribution
- Align with customer sustainability values
- Maintain a clean, professional brand image
Collaborating with suppliers like Elite Packaging opens the door to next-generation compostable options designed to deliver durability, reliability and performance in everyday café service.
How compostable cups fit into everyday coffee service
Coffee remains the highest-volume takeaway item for most cafés. Switching to compostable cups allows businesses to reduce waste without changing customer behaviour or slowing service.
Modern compostable cups are designed to handle heat, maintain structure and support standard lids. This makes them easy to integrate into existing workflows without retraining staff or changing equipment.
Local cafés typically choose compostable cups that offer:
- Heat resistance for hot drinks
- Consistent sizing for lids and sleeves
- Reliable performance during busy periods
When cups function like traditional packaging, the transition becomes seamless for both staff and customers.
As an example, paper cups lined with an aqueous coating provide an alternative to traditional PE and PLA-lined cups. The water-based coating creates a protective barrier that improves the cup’s durability. Aqueous coatings are compostable as they can break down more easily,
Pictured: 8oz Double Wall Cup made with Aqueous coated material
Compostable bowls supporting modern café menus
Café menus have expanded well beyond pastries and sandwiches. Bowls for salads, grain dishes and takeaway meals now play a major role in daily service.
Compostable bowls help reduce waste while meeting the demands of modern menus. When correctly matched to food type, they handle moisture, sauces and temperature changes without collapsing, giving cafés a reliable, sustainable alternative to traditional plastic or foam.
Cafés using compostable bowls focus on:
- Rigid bases to prevent bending
- Secure lids for takeaway transport
- Sizes that suit multiple menu items
Many of these options are available across the Elite Packaging product categories, allowing cafés to standardise packaging while reducing waste.
See example below of a Home Compostable bowl with a secure and leakproof lid made from Sugarcane Pulp. Both bowl and lid are grease and water-resistant.
Staff and customer education makes the difference
Compostable packaging only reduces waste when it is used and disposed of correctly. Local cafés that see the most benefit invest time in educating both staff and customers.
Simple steps, such as clear bin signage, staff training and consistent messaging, help ensure compostable cups and bowls end up in the right waste streams.
Successful cafés often implement:
- Clear separation between waste types
- Staff guidance on correct disposal
- Customer-facing signage explaining compostable packaging
Education reinforces sustainability efforts and strengthens trust with customers, while being responsible for the environment.
Items that are certified compostable in Australia must meet one or both recognised standards. Products certified to AS 5810-2010 are suitable for home composting, meaning they can break down under typical household composting conditions. Products compliant with AS 4736-2006 meet the requirements for industrial composting, where higher temperatures and controlled conditions allow materials to decompose efficiently.
Reducing waste without increasing costs
One concern many cafés have is cost. Compostable packaging can appear more expensive upfront, but local cafés often find savings elsewhere once systems are refined. As more suppliers expand their compostable ranges and production scales up, pricing continues to become more competitive, making the switch increasingly affordable.
Reducing over-ordering, simplifying packaging ranges and choosing multi-use formats helps offset costs. Waste reduction also lowers disposal fees over time.
A balanced approach to compostable packaging includes:
- Fewer packaging formats used across menus
- Better stock control
- Reliable suppliers that maintain consistency
This approach supports both environmental and financial sustainability.
Compostable packaging as a long-term strategy
For local cafés, compostable cups and bowls are no longer a short-term trend. They are part of a broader shift towards responsible service that customers increasingly expect.
Cafés that adopt compostable packaging thoughtfully reduce waste, protect their brand and future-proof their operations. The key is choosing products that perform as well as traditional packaging.
Elite Packaging works with cafés across Australia to supply compostable packaging that fits daily service demands and long-term waste reduction goals.
If you are exploring compostable cups and bowls for your café, contact us to discuss packaging options that support sustainability without compromising service.
