Choose to Reuse (Green Containers)
In line with Brandeis University’s waste reduction initiative, we are continuing our reusable to-go container program – Choose to Reuse. In addition to Usdan Kitchen & The Farm Table at Sherman, the “Choose to Reuse” will be available at The Stein, The Faculty Club, and The Hive Culinary Studio at Wok This Way, Greens & Grains, and La Sabrosa for both in-person & mobile ordering via the Grubhub app.
By making reusable to-go containers the default option at our campus restaurants, we diverted over 85,000 single use containers from entering landfills during the 2023-24 academic year! Enrolling in this program will require no up-front cost to participate and will continue to save you money by avoiding charges related to single-use packaging.
Click here to learn more about Brandeis Hospitality’s Sustainability Commitments.
How to sign up & use your “ReusePass”
*Note: In order to take food to-go at any Brandeis Hospitality restaurant without paying the $2.50 upcharge, you MUST sign up for Reusepass. Students on meal plans MUST sign up for Reusepass.
- SIGN UP – Go to ReusePass.com to create your free account. Be sure to save your personal QR code by taking a screenshot or selecting “Open pass” in the upper left corner on your account page to save to your mobile wallet.
- RENT – Use your ReusePass QR code to check out a container in person or select the reusables option in Grubhub for mobile orders at participating locations. If you are new to the Grubhub app, you will need to affiliate with the Brandeis campus. To do this, tap on your account, tap on-campus dining, & select Brandeis. Click here to watch the tutorial video.
- ENJOY – Enjoy your waste-free meal and return your container to an allocated return location within 3 days to avoid late fees. Once the container is washed, it will be scanned back in – like returning a library book! Return the container within three days of checking it out to avoid late fees.
Students, staff, and faculty can participate in the Choose to Reuse program. The program makes checking out a reusable container a lot like checking out a library book!
To participate, first ensure you have the latest version of the Grubhub app. Next, use Grubhub to order a to-go meal from a participating dining location and Choose to Reuse by opting not to select disposable containers. Before placing your first reusable to-go order in Grubhub, you’ll be asked to acknowledge the terms and conditions of the program.
Once you’ve acknowledged the terms and placed your first reusable mobile order, you’ll get access to your ReusePass account. From there, each time you order to-go at a participating ‘Choose to Reuse’ location, you’ll unlock your personalized ReusePass QR code on the Grubhub app. Your code will show up on your order ticket and a dining team member will scan it to associate it with a container.
For in-person dining and ordering, you will create a ReusePass account by visiting ReusePass.com. You can access your QR code through the ReusePass site and save it to your mobile wallet. When you want to check out a container, simply show your code to the dining team member, who will scan it and scan the container to associate it with your account.
If you check out your first container via mobile order, you’ll receive an SMS from ReusePass with details on how the program works and a link for how to access your ReusePass account. You can reference your ReusePass account to see a full record of all the containers you’ve checked out, when they are due back, and if you’ve missed any due dates.
Containers should be returned to Usdan Kitchen, Farm Table at Sherman, The Hive Culinary Studio, The Stein, Starbucks & The Faculty Club. Guests should scan their to-go boxes using the scanners available at these locations. Guests are encouraged to speak to a cashier for assistance. Containers should be empty before returning – if needed; you can use the compost bins located around campus to discard any remaining food.
Containers are due back three days after checkout. If you fail to return within that 3-day window, the container will be marked as “Late”. You have 48 hours to return a “Late” container. Containers not received by the end of the “Late” window will be liable for a $5.00/container charge. Any lost containers that are not returned are subject to additional fees. All participants are strongly encouraged to return their containers before school breaks.
Please note: charges and fees are issued per box and not per user.
Containers that are shown under the “Due soon” section of your ReusePass account are containers you have recently checked out that are still within the 3-day checkout window and have not yet been scanned in by a team member.
Containers that have not been returned by the end of the 3-day checkout window will be marked as late. Don’t worry, late doesn’t mean charged! Once a container is late, you have 48 hours to return it. Containers that are not received by the end of the late window will be liable for an $5.00 charge.
Green boxes with the large, square QR code sticker are microwaveable in 1 minute increments. Green boxes with the rectangular sticker that say “ReusePass” should not be microwaved.
If you do not wish to use reusable containers, disposable to-go containers will be available at The Stein and The Hive Culinary Studio at Wok This Way, Greens & Grains, and La Sabrosa for a fee of $2.50. Select ‘Choose to Reuse’ to save money and reduce waste.
If you cannot return your container(s) due to extenuating circumstances, please contact our Sustainability Manager, Allison Deyo, at allisondeyo@brandeis.edu
Please get in touch with Allison before the end of your container’s “late window” and please provide your Reusepass account number available on your Reusepass QR code or by logging into reusepass.com.
If you’ve already returned your container(s), it may take some time for the container to be scanned properly. Guests with any concerns or questions should email our Sustainability Manager, Allison Deyo, at allisondeyo@brandeis.edu or text the Reusepass helpline at (781) 527-4815.