145,956 single-use containers have been diverted from waste streams through Hospitality Services’ GOOD TO GO Reusable Container Initiative between September 3, 2022 - February 5, 2023.
Having surpassed the original goal of diverting 100,000 single-use containers on campus during the 2022/23 academic term as set out in the Housing and Ancillary Services’ Sustainability Framework, H&A now looks to divert 200,000 containers before the end of April 2023.
Background
Between September 2019 – April 2022, the Eco Container Program (now the GOOD TO GO Reusable Container Initiative) diverted 47,159 single-use “6X9” containers from waste streams without a mandatory single-use fee.
To drive higher participation rates and support the University’s climate action objectives and help advance the UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, a $0.75 single-use container fee was implemented in September 2022 on all meals in “6X9” take-out containers at retail food locations across campus.
The cost recovery fee is not an additional revenue stream. It was determined from a university sector scan of comparable eco container programs and a campus survey that engaged students, staff, and faculty between November 8, 2021 – April 29, 2022. 54.54% of survey respondents supported a fee introduction, of which 38.8% favoured a proposed rate in the range of $0.75 – $1.00.
Students, staff, and faculty who ‘opt-in’ to the GOOD TO GO Reusable Container Initiative save paying the University endorsed single-use container fee through a simple ‘Swap: Eat: Repeat’ process.
How it Works
All meal plan holders are automatically opted into the GOOD TO GO initiative and other students, staff and faculty can opt-in for a refundable $5 deposit. Upon opt-in a green carabiner clip is provided for individuals to begin utilizing the following ‘Swap: Eat: Repeat’ process:
Swap: Bring a carabiner to a food counter. Order a meal in a GOOD TO GO container and exchange the carabiner with a staff member.
Eat: Receive a meal in a sanitized GOOD TO GO container to take away and enjoy
Repeat: Return a used GOOD TO GO container at a Swap Station to use later or exchange it for a sanitized container at a food counter now.
Collect a stamp for every exchange and fill a loyalty card! With 10 stamps and a full card, patrons can redeem a free 16oz fountain beverage, medium coffee, tea or hot chocolate and be entered into a monthly draw to win 50 Flex $.
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