CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / The Northern Arizona University (NAU) Office of Sustainability recognized NAU Campus Dining and its implementation of USEFULL, a plastic-free, tech-enabled takeout container system, with a 2024 Sustainability Leadership Award during its 12th-annual sustainability awards ceremony. There were 16 winners including Torrie Smith from NAU Campus Dining for the "Sustainability Hero" award. NAU is committed to on-campus sustainability efforts; the first year of USEFULL is fully funded by NAU's Green Fund, NAU's student-led sustainability funding program.
The Green Fund supports NAU campus sustainability initiatives. Since its founding, the Green Fund has invested more than $3 million in 110 campus projects. The Green Fund is managed by a student committee that evaluates projects to determine their potential impact on campus sustainability and how they align with the university's Climate Action Plan. USEFULL worked directly with the Green Fund and Fran Alvarado of Sodexo Sustainability for funding. Students voted for the durability and sustainability of the stainless steel containers over plastic alternatives, saving tens of thousands of dollars on single-use plastic in the first year alone.
"Students are a driving force for sustainability efforts at universities. At USEFULL we find that student-led initiatives, from funding sources to activism efforts to an overall desire to address reuse and recycling challenges on campuses, are drivers to implementations for our service," said Alison Rogers Cove, founder and CEO of USEFULL.
USEFULL replaced a plastic takeout container program that tried to reduce usage of single-use packaging, but the former program experienced high loss rates. In just the first month of implementation at NAU, there were more than 25,000 checkouts of USEFULL stainless steel containers, saving 2,400 lbs. of trash and 66,000 gallons of water, and removing 7,400 lbs. of emissions.
Learn more about USEFULL and its unique approach to a zero-waste process for college and corporate dining options by visiting https://www.usefull.us/partner-with-us.
About USEFULL
USEFULL is building a zero-waste future by eliminating plastics and single-use packaging from the takeout stream at college and corporate dining operations, and working with customers to drive lasting, sustainable behavior change. USEFULL helps its customers eliminate waste, save water, and reduce emissions to meet their sustainability goals. To learn more, visit https://www.usefull.us/.
Contact:
Mark O'Toole
mark@usefull.us
(617) 500-3290
SOURCE: USEFULL
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