Transact Conference takeaways: The new guy’s first impressions
As USEFULL’s new Chief Revenue Officer, I took my first steps into the reuse space this past February. In my first month, I’ve truly received a crash course on reusable takeout. I’ve known USEFULL’s founder and CEO, Alison Cove, for years, and have many years of experience working with higher education, but the world of takeout and reusable solutions was fairly new to me.
USEFULL is a Transact Campus Partner, so the Transact 360 conference allowed me to immerse myself in the ecosystem and cram countless conversations with partners, customers, and prospects into a whirlwind few days!
Transact 360 was the perfect opportunity to hear higher ed professionals’ perspectives about reuse and participate in important conversations about sustainability in dining. As someone who has experience working with universities but has fresh eyes on the reusables space, here are my top three takeaways from the conference:
1. Reuse is happening now
As I chatted with dozens of campus leaders at the conference, I heard a common refrain. Campus dining leaders have already taken the first step toward reusable takeout, it’s on their minds, or perhaps more importantly, it’s on their students’ minds. Either way, the conversation about reuse is happening.
I came out of the conference with the impression that reuse should be the focus when it comes to takeout. What about the other three Rs? Campus dining leaders understand that recycling is flawed – students might not throw recyclable containers into the right bin, or policies might prevent it from being properly recycled. And campuses are rightly focusing on reducing waste in other dining areas, such as by implementing food waste reduction strategies. But it’s difficult to reduce the number of takeout containers without reducing takeout itself – which is why it’s critical to focus on reuse in the takeout space.
Overall, I am inspired that campus leaders are – rightly – thinking about reuse.
2. Integration. Integration. Integration
In the reuse space, technology ensures that returnable containers are actually returned. This powerful accountability tool is why USEFULL’s solution includes technology-based inventory management.
And when technology is involved, user experience and flow are everything. Because USEFULL is partnered with all major campus card solutions, students can sign up for the app with their student ID number – making it easy for students to use USEFULL. By working with the right campus card ecosystem, USEFULL and our campus partners can make reuse even more convenient and accessible, and unlock the full potential of reuse.
Integration also gives us the data to show both individual user and campuswide sustainability metrics, like the amount of waste and water saved. At USEFULL, we’ve found this is a powerful communications tool to drive needed behavior change around takeout and reusables.
3. Sometimes the easiest change isn't the best
At the conference, I talked with dozens of campus leaders, including campuses who have been in the reuse space for years. Most of the early leaders in the reuse movement went with reusable plastic solutions – think Tupperware. But while chatting with campus leaders and the USEFULL team, a phrase kept emerging: “You can’t solve a plastic problem with more plastic.” It’s a key talking point for USEFULL… and I believe it!
Plastic solutions often have high loss rates, which eliminate the point of reuse. And, ultimately, they’re just thicker, sturdier versions of the same material which campuses (and the world) are trying to get rid of. On the other hand, our stainless steel containers are much more durable, and they’re 100% recyclable at the end of their life.
My takeaway? Change is hard, but it’s worth doing.
Rob Kutner
Chief Revenue Officer
rob@usefull.us