Choose to Reuse is BU Dining’s award-winning reusable to-go container program. This innovative reusable container program is designed to reduce packaging waste in support of BU’s Zero Waste Plan. By participating in the Choose to Reuse program, you can help Boston University achieve its sustainability goals while also taking steps to protect the environment.
Since Choose to Reuse launched in the GSU Food Hall in February 2023, we have decreased the use of disposable containers by more than 83%!
The Choose to Reuse program is open to students, staff, and faculty and available at:
- GSU Food Hall – Basho, Dipped, El Comal, Halal Shack, Panda Express, Rhett’s, The Coop, and UrbanTable
- Saxbys – available for in-person orders too!
The disposable container fee at participating locations is $2.50. Additionally, Saxbys offers reusable cups as part of the Choose to Reuse initiative, with a $1.00 fee for disposable cups for Grubhub and in-person orders. By selecting either ‘Choose to Reuse’ or ‘Dine In,’ you’ll save money and reduce waste!
Choose to Reuse In the News
Campus ID News Grubhub offers universities reusable containers via Topanga.io
NACUFS Choose to Reuse Wins Gold Sustainability Award
BU Today Going Green: Reusable Container Initiative Starts at GSU
How does the program work and how do I join the program?
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 by selecting the ‘Choose to Reuse’ when ordering. Before placing your first reusable to-go order in Grubhub, you’ll be asked to acknowledge the terms and conditions of the program. You can also sign up here, if you want to join the program before placing an order.
Once you’ve acknowledged the terms and placed your first reusable to-go 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.
A dining hall team member will associate the reusable container(s) with your account – just like checking out a library book!
I want to place an in-person order at Saxbys or Law School Cafe, can I still participate in Choose to Reuse?
Yes! You can place an in-person Choose to Reuse order if you have already signed up for the program in Grubhub.
Request Choose to Reuse when ordering and present your unique ReusePass QR code when picking up your order. The QR code on your phone will be scanned and connected to the QR code on the container(s)/cup(s) in your order.
To access your ReusePass QR code, log into your ReusePass account by going to app.reusepass.com/bu and logging in using your cell phone number. Select “Open Pass” in the top left corner. You can either download the ReusePass to the wallet on your phone or take a screenshot for easy access.
What is ReusePass and how do I access my account?
ReusePass is a web application that helps you track and manage which reusable containers you need to return. When you place your first reusable to-go order via Grubhub, a ReusePass account will automatically be created for you.
You can access your account at any time by going to app.reusepass.com/bu and logging in using your cell phone number.
You can also access your account through the GH App. Go to Orders at the bottom of the App, select any order you have placed at a participating Choose to Reuse location, then select Track your Containers. This will take you directly to your ReusePass.
What happens once I've checked out my first container
Once you check out your first container, 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.
Where and how do I return my container?
Food containers can be returned to the Choose to Reuse collection bins in the GSU Food Hall or at Saxbys on the first floor of the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences. Choose to Reuse cups from Saxbys must be returned to the Choose to Reuse bin at Saxbys, returning them to the GSU could result in an unreturned container charge.
Containers and cups should be empty before returning – if you need you can use the food waste collection bins in the GSU or CCDS to empty any remaining food. Containers are due back 3 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 that are not received by the end of the “Late” window will be liable for an $8.00/container charge, charged two weeks after the checkout window was opened.
On my ReusePass account, what's the difference between 'Due soon' and 'Late'?
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 $8.00 charge. Charges will be deducted from student accounts two weeks after the checkout window was opened.
When and how will I be charged for late containers?
Late charges will be processed two weeks after the checkout window was opened. Dining Points will be charged first, and if not sufficient or not available, Convenience Points will be charged second.
Are the reusable to-go containers microwave safe?
Choose to Reuse containers are no longer microwaveable. We have introduced RFID technology into the tracking process to improve the program. If you need to reheat food, please empty the food into a microwaveable container.
Have questions about or feedback on the program? We'd love to hear from you!
For questions about your ReusePass account and feedback on ReusePass, send a text to ReusePass at (617)675-9952 or fill out a feedback form linked here.
For questions or comments about other aspects of the program, please reach out to our Sustainability Director, Lexie Raczka.
