Aussie cafes and hospitality businesses looking to cut down on waste now have a new option. Huskee, the Sydney-based company behind the iconic HuskeeCup, has launched Borrow by Huskee, a first-of-its-kind reusable cup system designed to make sustainability seamless for both venues and customers.

Launched at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) and set to roll out in Sydney’s Barangaroo in June, the initiative allows venues to offer Huskee’s reusable BorrowCups to customers at no cost. Once they’ve finished their drink, customers return the cups within 14 days to a participating cafe or a SmartBin, where they’ll be collected, washed, and redistributed for reuse.

Australians are known for their love of coffee, with the industry generating approximately USD 5.8 billion annually. However, this passion for a latte or long black has an environmental downside> Australians use an estimated 1.8 billion single-use hot beverage cups every year, equating to about 2.7 million disposable coffee cups discarded daily. This significant waste contributes to landfill and environmental pollution, as many of these cups are not recyclable due to their plastic lining

How Huskee is making your daily cup of joe sustainable

The process is simple: customers download the Borrow app and scan a QR code on their BorrowCup each time they order. The tech-powered system keeps track of returns and helps businesses monitor their impact on waste reduction.

Huskee co-founder Saxon Wright says the initiative eliminates a key barrier to sustainability in the hospitality sector: customers forgetting to bring their own reusable cup.

“This new approach removes the hassle of remembering to bring a reusable cup and makes it easier than ever to support circular solutions,” says Wright.

“We’re starting in Sydney but have big plans to roll this out nationwide.”

Smart tech meets sustainability

A key feature of the system is the SmartBin.  The SmartBin ensures only BorrowCups are accepted, eliminating contamination risks. Data from the SmartBin and app will allow businesses to track their environmental impact, from the number of cups saved from landfill to carbon emissions reductions.

Meanwhile, Huskee’s WashHub in St Peters ensures every BorrowCup is professionally cleaned, sanitised, and returned to cafes, restaurants, and hotels. When a cup reaches the end of its life, it’s sent to HuskeeLoop, where it’s recycled into new products—ensuring a truly closed-loop system.

With Borrow by Huskee now live, cafes and venues keen to reduce their waste footprint can sign up today. For more information, visit Borrow by Huskee.

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