Australian start-up Huskee has officially launched Borrow by Huskee, a new reusable cup system that aims to make sustainable habits easier for café-goers.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Australia, is now live at International Towers Barangaroo and participating venues across Sydney.
The system enables customers to borrow reusable cups – dubbed “Borrow cups” – from cafés and venues without needing to bring their own.
Customers can return the cups within 14 days to any participating café or to Smart Bins installed in the area.
The entire process is powered by GS1 Next Generation barcodes and facilitated through the Borrow App, allowing real-time tracking and digital monitoring.
“This launch is a huge moment for reuse in Australia,” said 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.”
Each reusable cup is embedded with a unique QR code based on global GS1 standards, enabling streamlined logistics, traceability, and circularity.
GS1 Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that develops and maintains global standards for business communication, is supporting the initiative.
“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,” said Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia.
“This partnership with Huskee demonstrates how global standards can power scalable reuse systems that benefit both the environment and the economy.”
The Borrow cups are designed and manufactured by Huskee from 100% polypropylene (PP), a material chosen for its safety, durability, and recyclability.
When the cups reach the end of their life, they are processed through the HuskeeLoop program and transformed into new products.
Returned cups are cleaned and prepared for reuse at Huskee’s WashHub in St Peters, a dedicated facility that handles washing, sanitising, drying, and repackaging.
“Barangaroo is the perfect setting for this next evolution of reuse,” said Wright. “This is just the start. We hope this launch sparks conversations with cafes and venues across the country, with the goal to roll-out reuse solutions to thousands of businesses across the country over the next 12 months.”
Huskee is currently inviting more venues across Sydney and beyond to join the Borrow by Huskee network.
