Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.94
Liaison John Alejandro
Submission Date Oct. 13, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of San Diego
IN-25: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Carol Norman
Director of Dining Services
Dining Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Sustain-A-Bottle

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:
What is it? USD Dining is the first campus on the west coast to offer a Sustain-A-Bottle Freestyle program. This reusable "smart" bottle has a unique RFID chip that allows you to purchase a semester's worth of refreshment at one time. Skip the line and get your refills when and where you want them! Choose from over 70 low, or no, calorie options while keeping disposable cups, lids and straws out of the landfill. This durable bottle is BPA-free and has a carbon-neutral footprint. How does it work? Purchase your Sustain-A-Bottle at any dining location. Go to any Coca-Cola Freestyle machine on campus. (Learn more about Coca-Cola's sustainability efforts.) Remove the entire top of your bottle and place it on the center black ring, in order for your RFID tag to be read. Select a drink and push dispenser button until your bottle is filled. The next time you need to refill, just skip the line and go directly to the Freestyle machine. How do I purchase it? Purchase your bottle for $9.99 at any on-campus dining location. Your bottle comes with 2 fills.* Select a plan: Unlimited fills all semester for $28.99 or 10 fills for $12.99.* Pay with Dining Dollars, Campus Cash, cash, or debit/credit cards. Freestyle Machine Locations on Campus: Pavilion Dining (Student Life Pavilion) Tu Mercado (Student Life Pavilion) Aromas (Maher Hall) Bert's Bistro (Hill Hall/SOLES) La Paloma (Kroc IPJ) Missions Cafe (Valley Fitness Center) * Pricing and program details subject to change.

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

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
USD has seen a significant reduction in the number of single-use cups since the program began. The first full year of implementation had a reduction of 158,000 cups purchased that would have been single use and sent to the landfill. Early metrics for our second-year (FY 18) indicate that the program is still very successful.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.