02 Oct The SUCfree Revolution: What’s it all about and why does it matter?
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly five years since the SUCfree Wānaka initiative began. During this time, we’ve helped 11 cafes go completely SUCfree, with even more adopting a cup lending scheme or mug library. According to the Resourceful Communities Survey 2023, 63% of Wānaka locals bring their own cups, saving an estimated 855,000 single-use cups annually. While we haven’t reached our goal of Wānaka becoming the first SUCfree town in New Zealand yet, it’s safe to say that we have made a good start.
Although our community has embraced this movement with enthusiasm, we know that the term “SUCfree” isn’t yet a household name. With more SUCfree groups emerging across the country, we thought it was about time to unpack the term a little more.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what the SUCfree movement is all about and how you can take part.
What is the SUCfree movement?
The SUCfree (single-use cup free) movement is a grassroots initiative aimed at reducing, and ultimately eliminating throwaway coffee cups. The goal is to move away from throwaway cups and promote a more sustainable way to enjoy your coffee.
The movement has gained traction over the last few years with successful campaigns in Wānaka, Queenstown, Mercury Bay, Dunedin, Great Barrier Island, and more. Initiatives involve setting up cup-lending schemes, building mug libraries, and offering discounts for customers who bring their own reusable cups. Many cafes have also eliminated single-use cups completely.
This collective effort has helped to normalise reusables and make it easier for people to get involved.
What’s the problem with single-use cups?
Single-use cups are exactly how they sound – you use them once and throw them away. While it’s easy to forget about them as soon as you take your final sip, these cups can stay in our landfill for decades. Why? Although they look like they are made of paper, single-use coffee cups are lined with plastic, which makes them non-recyclable. Not only do they take years to break down, but they can also generate methane (a harmful greenhouse gas) into the air.
What about compostable cups?
People have been led to believe that compostable coffee cups are the answer to all of our SUC-related problems. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Compostable cups are usually lined with PLA (polylactic acid) and the only way to compost them is at a commercial composting facility. With only a limited number of composting facilities in New Zealand, getting your cup there isn’t easy. While many cafes use compostable coffee cups in an attempt to protect the environment, unless the cafe has its own collection system for a commercial composting facility, these cups are NOT a solution. Most towns in New Zealand do not have their own composting collection and delivery system. According to Again Again, only 1 in 400 compostable cups make it to a commercial compost facility. As for the rest of them? Straight to landfill.
How to reduce single-use cups in your community
If you want to reduce single-use cups in your community, there are plenty of things you can do. From adopting SUCfree habits to launching your own campaign, here are some key steps to get started.
Start with Yourself
Lead by example! Follow our sit, bring or borrow ethos, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. By showing people how easy and impactful these changes are, you’ll help normalise the use of reusables and create a ripple effect that benefits the entire community. Your actions today can spark lasting change!
Engage local cafes
Have a conversation with your local cafe about their stance on single-use cups. Encourage them to offer discounts for customers who bring reusable cups, suggest a cup-lending scheme like Chunky or Again Again, or help them build a mug library. Many cafes are open to sustainable ideas and appreciate the support from their customers.
Organise a Campaign
Partner with community groups, schools, or local businesses to launch your own SUCfree campaign. Spread awareness through social media posts, talk with local cafes or host an event within your community.
To find out how to start your own SUCfree campaign, download our guide here.
Keep the conversation going
Change starts with an idea. In order to start a movement, you have to plant a seed. The best way to do this is through conversation. Speak to your friends, family and other members of your community about the issues around single-use cups. Post your ideas on local social media pages to spark a conversation or write to your local MP. The more you talk about it, the more likely it will happen!
What next?
The SUCfree movement may have started small, but its impact is growing, both in Wānaka and beyond. In just five years, we’ve made significant strides toward reducing single-use cups, with many local cafes embracing sustainable practices. While we haven’t reached our ultimate goal yet, the progress we’ve made shows that collective action can create real change.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with continued efforts from individuals, cafes, and communities, we’re on the path to a more sustainable future. The goal now is to keep the conversation going so that we can create a world where single-use cups are a thing of the past.
Join us in making every coffee count!
If you have any SUCfree success stories, we’d love to hear them! Email [email protected] or find us on social media!