Campbelltown City Council’s 2025 Reusable Mug Initiatives

Campbelltown City Council leads by example with every sip

Grounds for change

Surrounded by beautiful bushland and important waterways in south-western Sydney, Campbelltown City Council has a strong commitment to protecting its environment. This starts with recognising the important role staff can play in inspiring the wider community. 

Through a variety of simple plastic free pledges, fun competitions, and organisational changes, the Council empowers its employees to model the behaviours they hope to within the community.

But first, coffee.

Alongside broader community initiatives to reduce landfill, such as rebates for reusable nappies and sanitary products, and interactive market stall activations, Campbelltown City Council launched a caffeine-incentivised internal campaign on the first day of Plastic Free July 2025. Employees were greeted with a “coffee on us” card, purchased by the Resource Recovery team from a local café. The idea was simple: staff could redeem their coffee if they brought a reusable cup to use. 

This initiative boosted staff morale by tapping into a daily habit many rarely skip, showing how sustainable choices can fit easily into everyday routines.

A simple pledge

Riding the coffee buzz, staff were invited into the “Pledge Room” where they explored displays showcasing alternatives to common single-use plastics. With these ideas in mind, staff took a proactive step: a Plastic Free July pledge. Informed and inspired, a total of 210 employees took a stand, pledging to refuse single-use cups, plastic drink bottles, plastic food wrap and/or plastic bags throughout July.

A “muggy” intervention

The opportunity to phase out disposable cups became clear once the team identified the ongoing costs related to their purchase, collection, cleansing and landfill disposal. To support this shift, Council-branded mugs were provided across all kitchen facilities, plus travel mugs for staff working off-site to ensure accessibility. While there was some initial hesitation, visible leadership from the CEO and Executive Management Team helped build confidence by modelling change themselves. 

The result: lasting behaviour change, with Campbelltown City Council no longer purchasing single-use coffee cups internally. 

Brewing change with the “ugliest mug”

To celebrate their progress, the team hosted a Plastic Free Morning Tea. Staff could browse sustainable swap displays, and the event itself demonstrated how to run a plastic-free gathering. 

For a fun twist, staff were invited to bring their “ugliest mug” for a light-hearted competition. The winner took home the “Mugly” trophy, pledging to avoid single-use cups and to inspire others to follow until the next Plastic Free July winner is crowned in 2026. 

The event sparked positive conversations about ditching disposables, celebrated those already making the switch, and encouraged staff to become ambassadors for lasting change.

From coffee to commitment

Campbelltown City Council’s approach shows how modelling alternatives and leading by example can drive meaningful transformation. By engaging staff through everyday habits like enjoying coffee in reusable mugs, and combining incentives, education, and leadership support, the Council has markedly reduced single-use plastic waste within the organisation. 

Over 210 employees pledged to refuse disposables, and a complete phase-out of single-use coffee cups was implemented. The initiative helped reduce waste and costs, while building a lasting culture of sustainability and connection.

Campbelltown’s story shows that when people are empowered and motivated, change often starts  with the choices they make every day.

“One of the most powerful outcomes of our Plastic Free July initiatives was seeing how small, practical changes—when made visible and accessible—can shift behaviours across an organisation. It was particularly meaningful to have strong support from senior management and leadership teams. When leadership actively models and reinforces behaviour change, it empowers staff and creates a ripple effect that extends into the wider community, helping to build lasting habits well beyond July.”

Jessie Maddock, Waste Education Project Officer, Campbelltown City Council