Before opening a cafe in Sydney you need eight core categories of takeaway packaging: hot-drink cups and lids, cold-drink cups, food containers, bags and carriers, cutlery, napkins and serviettes, sauce and portion cups, and food-safety consumables. Budget roughly A$800–A$2,000 for an opening packaging stock-up depending on menu size and order volume, and make sure every disposable item complies with the NSW single-use plastics phase-out. This checklist walks through each category, what to buy, how much to budget for it, and the compliance points that trip up new cafe owners.
Packaging is one of the most underestimated parts of a cafe launch. It is easy to obsess over the espresso machine and the fit-out and then realise, three days before opening, that you have no lids that fit your cups and no bags to carry a takeaway order. Get the packaging list right early and it becomes a simple weekly reorder; get it wrong and it eats into your margin every single day. Below is the full list, in the order you should think about it.
Figures are wholesale estimates for an opening stock-up and will vary with menu size, order volume and supplier. Always confirm current GST-inclusive pricing.
This checklist is a general guide based on Glory Packaging’s June 2026 wholesale range and current NSW plastics regulations. Prices are estimates — confirm current GST-inclusive pricing and check the latest NSW EPA requirements before purchasing.
1. Hot-Drink Cups and Lids — Your Highest-Volume Item
Coffee is the heart of a Sydney cafe, so cups are the item you will buy most often. Stock three sizes to cover the standard menu: 8oz (small / piccolo-adjacent), 12oz (regular), and 16oz (large). Glory Packaging currently offers single-wall coffee cups; double-wall cups are out of stock. Check product suitability for your serving temperature and ask about compatible sleeves if needed. You will need lids to match every size. Match lids to the rim diameter and the compatible products listed on each cup page. Cup capacity alone does not establish lid fit; do not assume that every 8oz, 12oz or 16oz cup uses the same lid. On materials, you have two choices. PE-lined paper cups are the cheaper standard. PLA-lined compostable cups (a plant-based lining instead of plastic) cost a little more but align with NSW’s direction on single-use plastics and give you a sustainability story to tell customers. Many Sydney cafes run compostable cups as their default now. Opening budget: A$300–A$600. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.2. Cold-Drink Cups, Straws and Sealing
Iced coffee, cold brew, juices and smoothies need clear cups. Choose PET cups in sizes suited to your menu, with compatible dome or flat lids. Our 12oz PET cup has a 92mm rim; our 14oz, 16oz and 20oz PET cups have 98mm rims. If you plan to do milkshakes, frappes or any blended drinks, dome lids give the cup more room. Straws must be paper or another permitted non-plastic material — single-use plastic straws are banned in NSW. Keep a small supply of bendable straws on hand for accessibility (people who need a plastic straw for a disability are an exception under the law, and it is good practice to be able to provide one on request). Opening budget: A$150–A$300. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.3. Food Containers — Match Them to Your Menu
If your cafe does more than drinks — and almost all do — you need food packaging suited to what you actually serve:- Salads, poke, grain bowls: kraft or sugarcane bowls with clear or matching lids.
- Hot meals, pasta, hot breakfast: sugarcane (bagasse) clamshells or containers — microwave-safe, oil-resistant and compostable, the standard replacement for foam.
- Sandwiches, wraps, pastries: kraft sandwich wedges, paper bags or grease-resistant sheets.
- Cakes and slices: kraft cake boxes or clear dessert containers.
4. Bags and Carriers
Every takeaway order needs to leave the counter in something. Stock kraft paper bags in at least two sizes (a small for single items, a larger for multi-item orders) and flat-handle or twist-handle carrier bags for bigger orders. Kraft looks clean, photographs well for social media, and is recyclable. Add a few cup carriers / drink trays for customers buying two or more coffees — running out of these during a morning rush is a guaranteed source of spilled-coffee complaints. Opening budget: A$100–A$250. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.5. Cutlery
Single-use plastic cutlery is banned in NSW, so choose wooden cutlery — forks, knives, spoons, and “sporks” if you serve bowls. Wooden cutlery is affordable at wholesale and avoids any compliance risk. Stock wooden coffee stirrers too, rather than plastic. Opening budget: A$50–A$120. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.6. Napkins and Serviettes
Easy to forget, used constantly. Stock both dispenser napkins for the counter and a supply of lunch / dinner serviettes to drop into takeaway bags. Buying these in bulk wholesale rather than from the supermarket is one of the quietest savings a cafe can make — the per-unit difference is large because supermarkets price for households, not businesses. Opening budget: A$40–A$100. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.7. Sauce and Portion Cups
For takeaway dressings, aioli, syrups and dipping sauces you need small portion cups with lids (typically 1oz–4oz). Choose food-grade portion cups suited to the sauce and your venue’s disposal system. If you do any sit-down service, small ramekins or paper cups for sauces keep presentation tidy. Opening budget: A$30–A$80. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.8. Food-Safety Consumables
Not packaging exactly, but they go on the same order and the same checklist: disposable gloves (vinyl or nitrile, multiple sizes), cling wrap, labels or date stickers for prepped food, and bench wipes. Buying these alongside packaging from one wholesaler saves a separate delivery. Opening budget: A$60–A$150. We don’t list per-unit prices here — send your suburb and product list on WhatsApp (0456 127 632) for a same-day quote.The NSW Plastics Compliance Checklist
NSW has banned specified single-use plastic items since 2022, and additional measures may be introduced under the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0. For a new cafe, the practical rules to follow from day one are:- No single-use plastic straws, stirrers or cutlery — use paper straws and wooden or fibre-based cutlery instead.
- No expanded polystyrene (foam) food containers or cups — use sugarcane bagasse, kraft or recyclable PP.
- Design for recycling or composting — favour reusable, recyclable fibre, kraft and sugarcane options where suitable, and confirm local recycling or composting requirements.
Estimated Total Opening Packaging Budget
| Category | Opening budget (est.) |
|---|---|
| Hot-drink cups & lids | A$300–A$600 |
| Cold cups, straws, sealing | A$150–A$300 |
| Food containers | A$200–A$450 |
| Bags & carriers | A$100–A$250 |
| Cutlery | A$50–A$120 |
| Napkins & serviettes | A$40–A$100 |
| Sauce & portion cups | A$30–A$80 |
| Food-safety consumables | A$60–A$150 |
| Total | A$930–A$2,050 |
How to Buy Smart on Opening Day and Beyond
Three rules will keep your packaging spend under control. First, buy your top items at wholesale, not retail — the per-unit gap on cups, napkins and bags between a wholesaler and a supermarket is where most new cafes quietly lose margin. Second, consolidate suppliers so your cups, food containers, bags and consumables arrive in one regular delivery rather than three; it saves money and removes the risk of running out mid-week. Third, request free samples before your first big order so you can check that lids fit your cups and containers suit your actual menu items. Glory Packaging is a Sydney wholesaler that supplies cafes across the metro area with single-wall coffee cups, PET cups, sugarcane food containers, kraft bags, wooden cutlery and food-safety consumables. Double-wall cups are currently out of stock. Check live product availability and contact us about samples before committing to a new cup-and-lid combination. Send through your menu and we can put together a tailored opening packaging list with a GST-inclusive quote. Browse the range at glorypackaging.com.au or call 0456 127 632.Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for packaging when opening a cafe in Sydney? Budget roughly A$800–A$2,000 for an opening stock-up across cups, lids, food containers, bags, cutlery and consumables, depending on your menu size and order volume. Buying at wholesale rather than retail keeps the per-unit cost down. What packaging is legally required for a new cafe in NSW? NSW’s plastics phase-out means no single-use plastic straws, stirrers or cutlery, and no expanded polystyrene (foam) containers. Use paper straws, wooden cutlery, and suitable sugarcane, kraft or recyclable PP containers. Confirm current rules with NSW EPA guidance. What size coffee cups should a Sydney cafe stock? Choose 8oz, 12oz and 16oz single-wall cups to suit your menu, plus compatible lids. Double-wall cups are currently out of stock at Glory Packaging. Confirm cup-and-lid compatibility before ordering — mismatched cups and lids are the most common setup mistake. Can I get all my cafe packaging from one supplier? Yes. Consolidating cups, food containers, bags, cutlery and consumables with one Sydney wholesaler like Glory Packaging gets you wholesale pricing and a single regular delivery, which lowers cost and reduces the risk of running out. Should I use compostable packaging from the start? Starting with compostable and recyclable items (PLA-lined cups, sugarcane containers, wooden cutlery) is cheaper than swapping your inventory later as product rules and customer expectations change, and it gives you a sustainability story to share with customers from opening day.This checklist is a general guide based on Glory Packaging’s June 2026 wholesale range and current NSW plastics regulations. Prices are estimates — confirm current GST-inclusive pricing and check the latest NSW EPA requirements before purchasing.
Related packaging guides
- NSW Single-Use Plastics Ban — Banned Items and Compliant Swaps — check this before you place your opening order.
- 2026 Sydney Takeaway Packaging Price Guide — what you should be paying per carton.
- Top 5 Wholesale Takeaway Packaging Suppliers in Sydney — how the main Sydney suppliers compare.
- Thai Restaurant Packaging Supplies (Sydney) — curry-safe containers, rice boxes, sauce cups and delivery bags.
