The ABC’s documentary War on Waste promoted the responsible cafe initiative, which is building a culture of reuse. 

Six businesses across the WImmera have registered with the responsible cafes list to date, including Horsham’s Cafe Chickpea. 

Owner Lyn Witney-Drum said business would offer a 50 cent discount on coffee and beverages – just as long as customers brought their own clean, reusable cups. 

“I saw the idea on the news and a customer tagged me in a post so I signed the cafe up that day,” she said. 

Ms Witney-Drum said Cafe Chickpea had always been a strong supporter of recycling. But she said the cafe had boxes of takeaway cups that just got thrown away. 

Ms Witney-Drum said while some people had reuseable cups, they didn’t use them. 

“It’s the media bringing light to the issue that has put this in motion and we need more cafes in the area to sign up to make a bigger difference,” she said. 

Cafe Chickpea will have their own reusable cups available between $20 to $30. 

Ms Witney-Drum hopes to increase the amount of customers using reusable cups. 

Birchip Burger Bar, Bakery on Broadway, Parkview Bakery, Harvest Halls Gap, Windmill Cafe and Information Centre and Grampians Estate Cellar Door will also offer a discount for customers with reusable cups. 

Harvest Halls Gap and Bakery on Broadway plan to a 20 cent discount. 

Parkview Bakery will offers a 30 cent discount and Grampians Estate Cellar Door, Windmill Cafe and Information Centre and Birchip Burger Bar provide a 50 cent discount. 

Discounts not only apply to coffee, but to all drinks that are served in a takeaway cup – including milkshakes and smoothies. 

War on Waste encourages coffee drinkers to start the conversation on recycling. 

More than three billion takeaway cups and lids are wasted every year and most are never recycled.

People can go online to http://responsiblecafes.org/ to register your business or find participating cafes.