Case Study: Two years of reuse at Mount Holyoke College
We can hardly believe it, but this month we are celebrating two years of partnership with our first college campus partner, Mount Holyoke College!
Mount Holyoke first launched USEFULL back in February 2022, and the program has grown significantly on campus since then.
Here’s a look back at Mount Holyoke’s milestones with USEFULL!
January 2022
With only single-use takeout packaging in place, Mount Holyoke Dining was using about 250,800 compostable containers each year. In support of their sustainability goals, Mount Holyoke decided to switch to USEFULL to eliminate this waste from their waste stream.
February 2022
Mount Holyoke launched a phased implementation of the USEFULL system, providing both USEFULL stainless steel takeout containers and single-use containers during the spring semester. Students opted in to the USEFULL program and by the end of the semester, they had kept over 13,000 containers out of the landfill!
August 2022
This led to a dramatic 160% jump in the number of checkouts. Not only was it wonderful to see the increase in checkouts, but it was also an important learning for USEFULL – we now ask our partners to go “all-in” on reusables to increase engagement and maximize impact.
April 2023
With the USEFULL system running smoothly, Mount Holyoke surpassed 100,000 checkouts! This was an enormous milestone.
In addition, during the Spring 2023 semester, Mount Holyoke added a second return receptacle, providing students with increased flexibility.
September 2023
Mount Holyoke further expanded reusables in Fall 2023. They added USEFULL cups to Frances Perk Coffee Shop, and introduced cups and bowls to Cochary Pub & Kitchen.
February 2024
With the USEFULL system in place for two years, zero-waste takeout is a well-established part of staff and students’ routines. In total, the Mount Holyoke community has checked out more than 188,000 containers, keeping 17,300 pounds of waste out of the landfill and 54,600 pounds of emissions out of the air!
Mount Holyoke’s real-time impact can be found here.
We have loved partnering with Mount Holyoke over the past two years, and see amazing growth in their environmental savings! We can’t wait to see their impact continue to grow in the future.
Interested in learning how plastic-free takeout could help your campus save waste and improve in your sustainability journey? Chat with us here!