Australia’s first turnkey reusable cup system launches in Sydney – BeanScene

Reusable drinkware company Huskee has launched Borrow by Huskee, which it says is an Australian first in reusable cup innovation.

Borrow by Huskee is a free ‘turnkey’ reusable cup system that allows customers to borrow a Huskee cup when ordering a hot drink from participating cafés and venues in Sydney.

The program was first trialled on a large scale at MICE2025 in March, but was officially rolled out on 16 June at the International Towers Barangaroo. The system is powered by GS1 Next Gen barcodes and eliminates the need for customers to bring their own cups when picking up a takeout coffee at participating cafés.

Once a customer has borrowed a cup, they have 14 days to return it to any participating café or to one of the tech-enabled collection Smart Bins installed throughout the precinct.

“This launch is a huge moment for reuse in Australia,” says Saxon Wright, Co-Founder of Huskee.

“Borrow by Huskee removes friction for consumers and businesses alike. It’s simple, accessible, and backed by powerful tech that closes the loop in a truly smart way. We’re proud to be leading this movement right here in Sydney.”

Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia, says she’s proud to be partnering with Huskee.

“We’re proud to be supporting this circular innovation through the use of Next Gen GS1 barcodes and related standards that enhance trust, transparency, and efficiency,” she says.

The Borrow cup comes in two sizes (8oz and 12oz) and is made from durable, 100 per cent polypropylene (PP), which was selected for its safety, longevity, and full recyclability within the HuskeeLoop program. According to Huskee, once the reusable cups reach end-of-life, they’re transformed into new products.

“Barangaroo is the perfect setting for this next evolution of reuse,” says Saxon.

“We hope this launch sparks conversations with caféa and venues across the country, with the goal to rollout reuse solutions to thousands of businesses across the country over the next 12 months.”

Borrow by Huskee is live and actively welcoming new venues across Sydney. There are plans to expand the scheme across other areas of Australia.

To get involved or learn more click here.