Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.21
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oregon State University
IN-24: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Brandon Trelstad
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Full transition to reusable to-go containers

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Beginning fall 2015, OSU rolled out a program to completely replace disposable to go containers with reusable containers made by a local Oregon company. Disposable containers are no longer an option for diners and instead, reusable containers are provided at no cost. During FY16, over 400,000 single use disposable containers were avoided, saving on purchasing and disposal costs. During the same time period, 60 fewer tons of trash were hauled from the compactors outside dining centers to the landfill. At this speed, size and scale, Oregon State University Housing & Dining Services made a transition to locally made, reusable containers - as the default business practice - more comprehensively and much faster than other institutions we could find. If the 400,000+ single use containers that were diverted had been placed end-to-end it would be enough to line a path the 90 miles from Corvallis to Portland. Close to 30,000 Eco2Go containers were put into circulation over that period, also supporting the local economy by purchasing from a small Oregon company less than 15 miles away.

Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Food & Dining
Waste

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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None
The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
News coverage around the time of implementation: http://www.cr80news.com/news-item/oregon-state-cuts-waste-with-reusable-containers/ http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/takeout-goes-green-at-osu/article_ac24beb8-5780-5744-86f7-24a81861f9e1.html Eco2Go manufacturer website: http://earthsmartpd.com/earthsmart-products

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