It's all thanks to a collaboration between three Port Macquarie businesses - Doppio or Nothing Espresso, Port Plastics and Tooling, and Aus Blue Bins.

Doppio or Nothing Espresso owner Stewart Clark said the businesses were working together using their individual strengths to achieve a common purpose of stopping plastics going to landfill.

The Milk Bottles Only recycling project is the result.

Participating cafes are rinsing and crushing their empty milk bottles to be collected and stockpiled before Port Plastics and Tooling turns them into new products.

Empty coffee bags are also part of the project.

Some 15 cafes, primarily in Port Macquarie, have come on board so far.

Mr Clark said waste amounted to a big cost for cafes.

"Milk bottles are a huge part of waste that comes out of any part of the coffee industry," he said.

"I thought if we could separate it [milk bottles], use it and process it in Port Macquarie, it could be more economical because there is no freight cost that increases the cost of any recycling."

Mr Clark said the response from cafes had been amazing.

Multiple collections are needed each week as more businesses take part.

He said the initiative reduced costs and helped to divert product from landfill.

Residents can take part in the initiative by dropping off rinsed milk bottles at collection points at Salty Crew Kiosk at Town Beach and Doppio or Nothing Espresso's headquarters in the Port Macquarie industrial area.

Luigi Bros. Delicatessen is among the businesses to join the initiative.

Luigi Bros. Delicatessen barista Tim Jones said the initiative meant there was less waste going to landfill.

"It's a good way to put it out there to the public," he said about raising awareness.

Mr Jones said the waste issue was growing on an industry scale.

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