City of Middletown launches USEFULL pilot in restaurants throughout town

Takeout is a mainstay of everyday life. But usually, it comes with a cost: each year, millions of takeout containers pile up in landfills, incinerators, and oceans. This year, the City of Middletown, Connecticut decided to make a change, committing to reduce waste and divert waste away from the landfill. And excitingly, USEFULL will be partnering with Middletown to make that happen!

In Fall 2022, the City of Middletown was awarded an EPA grant, leading to the creation of the Fostering Circular Solutions for Takeout Container project. The purpose of this project? To create a reusable takeout pilot program at restaurants in town, including Perk on Main, Story and Soil, and It’s Only Natural Restaurant. Since fall, Recycling Coordinator Kim O’Rourke has been working closely with Sonja Williams and other members of the Center for EcoTechnology team to develop the program, with a goal of reducing the amount of trash created in their town. 

We are so excited that USEFULL will be partnering with Middletown to launch our tech-enabled system of reusable cups and containers! Participating restaurants will provide customers with stainless steel cups and containers. To use the system, community members will simply download USEFULL’s free app, which allows them to check out a container and return it just like a library book. This will provide them with the option to take their food and drinks in USEFULL containers. 

The pilot program launched at several Middletown restaurants the week of June 12 and will last for the next six months, hoping to get the community excited about the option for reusable takeout. We can’t wait to see the waste, water, and emissions saving impacts this summer!