In a bid to reduce the amount of cups going to landfill the owners of Tallwood have decided to ditch single-use coffee cups from December 1.

Co-owner and chef Matt Upson said his wife Simone challenged him to go single-use cup free. The cafe was using BIO cups, but those need a commercial composting facility to break down otherwise they go to landfill.

Given the influx of people over summer Mr Upson thought it would be near-impossible, but protecting the environment outweighed any reason not too.

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Mr Upson estimated the move would save 3000 single-use cups going to landfill in December. After Boxing Day, staff serve between 500 to 700 takeaway coffees over the first few weeks of the school holidays.

The cafe will have a six-pronged approach to serving coffee over summer.

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Customers can either sit at a table, bring their own reusable cup, purchase three different reusable options, or use the Green Caffeen swap and go system, a mug library, or recycled juice jars.

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Mr Upson admitted hospitality was not the "best industry" for sustainability. But removing single-use cups was another small step the cafe could take in preserving the nearby coastal environment.

Installing solar power, sending green waste and coffee grounds to local farmers, buying local produce to reduce the carbon footprint and removing bottled water were some of the other steps Tallwood had taken to improve sustainability.

Mr Upson said similar steps had been taken by other local cafes or restaurants.

"We just want to have a place that's respected for the choices we make and make a positive impact on our beautiful little town," he said.

"Everyone's taking steps to improve so it's a really positive thing for this little town as well."