Luther College launches reusable takeout program with USEFULL

Luther College is taking a major step toward zero-waste by partnering with USEFULL to provide a tech-enabled stainless steel container reuse program for takeout orders at Oneota Market inside the Dahl Centennial Union.

Luther College students stand next to a sign encouraging students to download the USEFULL app

Luther College students check out durable stainless steel containers through a new partnership with USEFULL.

USEFULL’s system uses durable stainless steel containers with silicone lids to keep meals hot or cold for hours, providing students with a premium dining experience while eliminating reliance on plastic and short-life reusables. Its technology platform includes container tracking, automatic return reminders, and performance reporting at both the institutional and individual level.

“This partnership reflects our community’s core values around sustainability and care for the environment,” said Kara Holmstrom, Luther’s sustainability coordinator. “USEFULL is helping us build a healthier and more responsible campus dining culture, while reducing waste and ensuring flexibility for our students who want to take food on-the-go.”

The program debuted on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and since then, students have been checking out USEFULL containers and integrating sustainability into their daily dining routines. Reuse is growing in retail dining on campus, and this is a step forward for Luther to eliminate plastic from its waste streams, one small part of the college’s goal of being a carbon neutral institution by 2030.

“Reducing waste is one important piece of our larger effort to incorporate sustainability into all aspects of our campus operations and culture,” said Jon Jensen, director of Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities. “The great thing about this program is that it is also giving students an enhanced experience when they eat on the go.”

In partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company, Luther is the first college in the state of Iowa to partner with USEFULL.

“Luther College is part of a real movement to rethink campus waste and do reuse right,” said Alison Cove, founder and CEO of USEFULL. “We’re proud to support the college’s commitment to long-term sustainability with a reuse system that students and dining teams love to use.”

dining service workers hold up a stainless steel container at Oneota Market

Luther College is the first college in Iowa to partner with USEFULL for a reusable takeout program.

The program is free to students, faculty and staff with minor fees applied only to containers returned after the two-day usage period or unreturned containers.

“It’s like checking out a library book, but for reusable containers,” Jensen said.

The reusable takeout program integrates with other sustainability practices at Luther including Cafeteria to Community and food composting efforts. Through the Cafeteria to Community program, Luther students and volunteers work together to package and label food that is provided to four northeast Iowa facilities: Open Hands Food Pantry, Northeast Iowa Community Action, Decorah Food Pantry and Midwest Mission Bible Training Center. Each facility ensures that individuals and families receive nutritious meals at no cost.