Checking Out Containers
How do I check-out a container?
To check out a container, when ordering, ask for your food/drink to be served in a USEFULL container. Open the USEFULL app and click on the checkout button.
Checkout and simply hold your container over your phone to scan the cup’s QR code. You’ve now checked out your container!
How long can I keep a container? What happens if I keep it longer?
Each USEFULL community/campus sets their own rules with the number of days for the free rental period. Please return your container before your rental period ends to avoid late fees, which is $1 per day. You will be able to see when you need to return a container when you go into the app and look at your active rentals on the home screen.
If you don’t return the container within two weeks, your container is deemed “lost”. Lost cups are $17 (inclusive of $1/day late fees) and lost bowls are $25 (inclusive of $1/day late fees).
How many containers can I have out at one time?
Each USEFULL community/campus sets their own rules with the number of containers that you can check out. Each container is due within the rental period. Please be sure to check the home screen or history page to see when each container is due back for dishwashing and recirculation.
You will be able to see the rules for a USEFULL community when you first sign up for the app and the first time you check out a container from a community.
Returning Containers
How do I return a container?
There are two ways that you can return a USEFULL container depending on how the USEFULL partner has set it up.
Return station: If the return bin has a tablet mounted above it, you can scan the QR code on the bottom of your container with the iPad camera and drop the container in the return bin.
Return Sign: To return, approach the USEFULL Return sign and open the app. Push “Return” in the upper right hand corner. Scan the QR code on the Return sign and then scan the QR code on the container. Drop the container into the bin. You have now returned the container. Thanks, you just saved a container from the landfill!
Where can I return the container and lid once I’ve used it?
Every partner has return bins, so look for a USEFULL return station with either a mounted tablet or a sign that says “USEFULL RETURN” with the QR code on it nearby.
Return locations are also specified in the app.
Why was I charged a late and/or lost fee?
When we see that a container has not been returned by the due date, you will be charged a late fee.
If you are not able to find your USEFULL container, we would recommend checking the app daily to see if someone has returned your cup/container for you.
You would be responsible to cover the late and lost fee, which would be $17 in total for a missing cup and $25 in total for a missing bowl .
You can double check that you have returned a container or that someone else was kind enough to return it for you by checking your email and/or app notifications. You can also see your container checkout history by:
- Going into the USEFULL app
- Click on your profile icon in the lower right corner
- Click on history
I forgot to scan my container when I went to return it. What should I do?
You should reach out to USEFULL support to provide further assistance. Click here to submit a helpdesk ticket.
When you are returning your containers, please ensure that you see the green success message on the return station iPad. You can also double check that your container has been successfully returned by checking your email to see the returned container email and/or looking at the USEFULL app notifications.
Containers
What are the containers and lids made of?
Our containers are 100% stainless steel and the lids are made with food grade silicone.
How do I know my container is clean?
We require our partners to guarantee they follow all ServSafe dishwashing procedures and local health department guidelines when cleaning & sanitizing USEFULL cups and bowls. This means each container is washed, rinsed, sanitized and then air-dried to minimize germs.
What do you do with a container after it hits retirement age?
Great question! We are able to resell the stainless steel so that they are made into a new product. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. The lids are recyclable in specialized recycling centers. We coordinate the recycling of both stainless steel and silicon. Contact info@usefull.us for more information.
Do you sell USEFULL cups or bowls for retail purchase?
Nope! Our program is based on keeping all of our cups and bowls in use for as long as possible to maximize the amount of waste each container can displace. While we know our cups and bowls are attractive, we prefer them in your hand or with our partners versus being stuck in the cupboard.
General
How do I find my profile page?
After signing into the app, click on your profile icon in the lower right corner. This is your profile page. You can see your history, your billing information, and other important information.
Having trouble creating an account? Check out the video below!
How do I know which partners are participating in the service?
The easiest way to find partners is via the app. We are adding new partners all the time, so keep an eye out. Our partner locations will also have USEFULL Partner stickers on their door to let you know they participate in our program and care about keeping waste out of the landfill or ending up as litter on our streets or in our oceans.
How do I get USEFULL in cafés or universities around me?
We would love to make that happen! You can help by telling your university and/or favorite café (or administration) about our service and you can reach out to us via email (info@usefull.us) with the café/university name and location (example = Favorite Café in Your Town).
If you help us with a “warm introduction” to an owner or manager and we get into your favorite café, we’ll help you with a month free of our Hero membership.
