Dining Services Reusable Containers
September 25, 2023
The Ohio State University is taking a significant step toward sustainability with an expanded Reusable Container program through Student life Dining Services. Starting fall 2023, students are now required to use reusable containers for to-go orders at all three Traditions campus dining locations.
This initiative is part of the university's goal to achieve zero waste. By requiring the use of reusable to-go containers at each Traditions location, the program not only diverts waste from the landfill but also encourages a culture of environmental responsibility among its students, faculty, and staff.
The results so far are impressive. In just the first couple weeks of the semester, Dining Services Associate Director Abby Hertzfeld reports the expanded program has eliminated the need for 15,397 single-use containers and diverted 1,527 pounds of waste from the landfill.
The system involves a collaboration among Student Life Dining Services, Environmental Services, Building and Mechanical Services, technology partner Topanga and Grubhub’s mobile ordering platform. The containers utilize an advanced RFID technology to create an efficient and simple platform for students to use.
You can watch a brief video online of how the program works.
Diners access their Grubhub app at any Traditions location. Then, they scan the unique QR code located on their container, which will seamlessly link the container to their account. After enjoying their meal, students simply return the container to one of the many conveniently located drop-off bins across campus. When returned, the containers are washed, sanitized and put back in circulation.
The program has been developed and refined over several years. “We’ve had many different variations of this program, none of which were very successful,” says Hertzfeld. “It offered lots of learning opportunities, but none were really making an impact on waste.”
Finally, all the elements, combining both advanced technology and accountability for returning the containers, seemed to come together for a pilot program in spring 2023. Implemented at Traditions at Morrill, Dining Services was able to avoid using nearly 51-thousand single use containers and diverted more than 5-thousand pounds of waste that semester. The program expanded to Traditions at Kennedy late last spring semester, and finally to Traditions at Scott this academic year.
Dining Services has high hopes for the future of the reusable container program. Hertzfeld envisions an even larger cleaning and sanitizing operation so they can expand to even more dining locations.
The program is making an impact on Zero Waste at Ohio State and positions the university as a leader in the pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future.
Jordy Puterman
Office of Student Life