Bring your own (BYO) reusables in Banyule

Bring Your Own (BYO) in Banyule is an ongoing initiative that encourages our community to bring reusable cups, containers, drink bottles, shopping bags, and produce bags when shopping or purchasing takeaway food and drinks.

Banyule businesses can participate by welcoming customers who bring clean reusable containers for takeaway food and beverages, deli items, bakery goods and fresh produce.

Benefits to business

  • Save money by reducing packaging costs.
  • Meet customer expectations by helping reduce waste and supporting sustainable choices.
  • Show customers that your business cares about sustainability.
  • Support culture change, where reusables become the everyday choice.
  • Start conversations, raise awareness, and encourage community action.
  • Reduce the amount of single-use packaging sent to landfill.

How to get involved

To participate in BYO in Banyule, contact the Waste Team on rethinkwaste@banyule.vic.gov.au. We will get in touch by email or phone to discuss your business needs and support options.

Businesses can receive:

  • Customer information postcards
  • "Reusables Welcome Here" window stickers
  • One-on-one support with setting up reuse systems and other actions to reduce waste

Legal and food safety requirements

Encouraging customers to bring their own reusable containers is legal, safe, and one of the simplest ways businesses can reduce single‑use packaging.

In Victoria, food safety legislation-including the Food Act 1984, Meat Industry Act 1993, and Seafood Safety Act 2003-does not prohibit food businesses, retail butchers, or seafood retailers from accepting customer-provided reusable containers.

Businesses can decide whether to allow Bring Your Own (BYO) containers. If you do, you must continue to meet all relevant food safety standards so that reusable containers do not compromise the safety of the food you sell.

Recommendations for businesses

  • If a customer's container is not clean, not reusable, or not suitable, politely explain why you cannot accept it. Let them know what types of containers are accepted so they can try again next time.
  • Consider offering a discount to customers who bring their own container.
  • Encourage uptake by simply thanking your customers for helping reduce single-use packaging.
  • Visit the BYO Containers - Resources for businesses page for helpful tips on getting started.
  • Take the pledge to be listed on the BYO Containers interactive map and help more customers find your business.

Choosing Packaging

Packaging is another way your business can reduce waste and help the environment. A few simple changes can make a big difference. When choosing packaging, ask yourself:

  • Refuse: Can you avoid using packaging altogether?
  • Reduce: Can you use less packaging or fewer parts?
  • Reuse: Can the packaging be used more than once?

If single-use packaging cannot be avoided, consider paper, compostable, biodegradable, plastics or no label .

Single use plastics

Victoria has banned the sale and supply of single-use plastics including:  

  • Drinking straws 
  • Cutlery 
  • Plates 
  • Drink stirrers 
  • Cotton bud sticks 
  • Expanded polystyrene food service items 
  • Expanded polystyrene drink containers

Learn more about the ban on Victoria's single-use plastic ban page.  

For more information about packaging and what options are best for your business, contact the Waste Education Team on rethinkwaste@banyule.vic.gov.au. 

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