USC and USEFULL launch a new partnership to decrease takeout waste on campus

In Fall 2023, the University of Southern California partnered with USEFULL reusable takeout to tackle the takeout waste problem! Starting this semester, USC residential dining halls will offer students and staff reusable takeout containers free of charge. The reusable program will first be implemented in three residential dining halls - Everybody’s Kitchen, Parkside and the Village - with hopes to expand implementation over time.

Users will simply download USEFULL’s free app (for iOS and Android) to check out USEFULL’s stainless steel cups and containers. It’s just like checking out a library book – simply scan the QR code on the bottom of the container and go. Better yet, both students and staff can see the environmental savings they’ve accumulated by opting for reuse instead of single-use! With USEFULL’s Impact Dashboard, the USC community can see the campus-wide waste, emissions, and water savings. Beyond this, students will be able to see their personal environmental savings in their USEFULL app. 

USC has a long history of prioritizing sustainability. As of 2022, USC has installed 103 multi-stream waste bins across campus, and 55% of USC Hospitality food is purchased from sustainable sources. 

So, as a natural next step, USC decided to introduce their zero-waste initiatives into takeout packaging. A big priority was plastic-free takeout - and USEFULL is the only 100% plastic-free, tech enabled, reusable takeout container system available in the US.

“By eliminating the compostable clamshell, cup and lid that we’re currently giving out, we’re reducing the amount of waste per consumer significantly. It’s a huge number,” Director of Campus Dining, Gary Marschall, told the Daily Trojan.

Based on our estimates, USC will keep 24 tons of waste (or 243 Trojans!) out of their landfills and 76 tons (or 166,400 footballs!) of CO2 out of the air this year alone. We are thrilled that USC is taking this next step, and we can’t wait to see the environmental savings pile up this school year and beyond!