1968 - present

Sondra Beram, owner of the small bRU coffee shop in North Bondi, is making an effort to reduce the number of plastic takeaway cups going into landfill, and, often, the ocean. Beginning with a mug library in her own café, she then linked with other Bondi café owners to educate the public through a BYO Cup Week in 2020 during which customers were asked either to bring their own cup or use one from that café’s mug library. She bought mugs from the local Vinnies store and asked customers to use one instead of a disposable cup for their coffee. Gradually the idea took off, with the community bringing their own mugs and offering some for the library. Within three years, Sondra estimated that only 30% of her coffee sales were in disposable cups, reversing the previous figures. By 2022 she believes that figure has dropped to 10%. That success led her to switch to compostable cups, utensils and packaging for takeaway purchases. She found a supplier, as well as a food and organics collection service, which takes everything to a commercial compost facility.

 Sondra didn’t stop there. After hearing an interview with Sarah Wilson, environmentalist and I Quit Sugar author, she linked up with her and together they planned a BYO Cup Week for July 2021. They visited local café owners, organised meetings and awareness campaigns. The aim was to change consumer habits around using disposable cups. Some 40 local businesses signed up. Due to COVID, the event had to be postponed to December. During the week long ban customers were encouraged either to bring their own mug or pick one up from the café’s mug library. What one café owner began, others have embraced. She valued the strength of a combined effort by the local community and her idea was adopted by cafes in other suburbs and regions.

Waverley Council recognised her achievements by giving her a Certificate of Commendation under the category Strengthening Community in its 2021 Local Heroes Awards. In its citation, it acknowledged her many other efforts to support the local community. In February 2020 she’d combined with other Bondi businesses in raising $40,000 for bushfire victims, while earlier she’d organised an 80 km walk from Bondi to Manly to raise funds for the Wayside Chapel. From July 2022 her business no longer used single use cups at all. She uses the café to promote and fundraise for many charitable endeavours, matching the amount raised with her own money. Sondra Beram is another woman who’s taken an initiative to work with others in the community to make our world a better place.

Courtesy bRU coffee shop.