The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) has overhauled its campus dining takeout model, becoming the first higher-ed institution in North Carolina to go fully plastic-free in residential dining. After a failed attempt at a reusable plastic container program—where 96% of containers were never returned—the university sought a more resilient and scalable solution.
The new system is built around stainless steel containers supplied by USEFULL, integrated with UNCW’s existing dining infrastructure. Unlike plastic containers, which degraded quickly and required constant replacements, the stainless steel version is built for repeated, long-term use. Since the switch, container losses have dropped to nearly zero, with return rates rising significantly—addressing both environmental goals and operational frustrations from the earlier program.
Students check out containers using their campus ID or mobile credentials through a Transact Campus integration. The process mirrors common student workflows, making the system easy to adopt. Participation is free, with penalties only for damaged, lost, or overdue containers—an accountability model that avoids up-front fees while encouraging responsible use…