The student-run Coffee House at the University of California, Davis, has introduced reusable containers at four of its seven food service platforms — making even greener the university recently ranked the most sustainable campus in North America. 

"I like the idea behind it," said student Simran Bhargava, one of the first customers to be served in a reusable container when they debuted today (Jan. 5), the first day of classes in the new academic quarter. "It's so much better than wasting materials," added the second-year student, who is majoring in animal science. 

The six-month pilot using a digital deposit-and-refund system is part of a fast-growing trend in reusable to-go containers at college campuses. 

“This program is an extension of our efforts that will help us meet the sustainability goals of the UC Office of the President and reduce our impact on the waste stream,” said Darin Schluep, director of the Coffee House.

In December, the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings named UC Davis the most sustainable campus in North America for the 10th year in a row and No. 7 in the world, its 13th consecutive year in the world’s top 10.

How it works

The Coffee House, also affectionately known as the CoHo, is using Friendlier reusable packaging, made of food-grade polypropylene, for some or all of the menu items at four platforms. Located in the busy student union, it serves about 5,000 customers a day Monday through Thursday and 3,000 on Fridays, and it expects to use 2,500 reusable containers a week. The eatery continues to use compostable containers made from pulp fiber or cornstarch on three other stations. 

When CoHo customers buy their food, they pay a refundable deposit of 50 cents per container. After they eat, they scrape any food remnants from their container. Using the Friendlier mobile app or website, the customers scan the QR code on the container’s sticker and return the container to a Friendlier collection bin at the CoHo. Friendlier refunds the deposit through the Zelle payment platform. 

The company takes the CoHo containers to a Sacramento facility for washing and sanitizing in accordance with commercial foodservice standards. The containers can be used up to 100 times.

Founded in 2019 in Guelph, Canada, Friendlier operates three facilities in Guelph, Ottawa and Vancouver, and supports more than 200 locations, including 22 colleges and universities across 35 campuses in three provinces. The CoHo is the first U.S. customer for Friendlier.

Expansion possible

Tracking built into the program will provide UC Davis with data related to the reduction in single-use packaging and campus participation to inform possible expansion on campus.

“UC Davis has long been a sustainability leader, and we’re thrilled to help fuel their next chapter,” said Kayli Smith, co-founder and CEO of Friendlier. “Our goal is to make reuse simple and accessible for students, and we are excited to work alongside a campus that shares this commitment.”

Schluep said that because the CoHo has limited dishwashing facilities, the transition from single-use to reusable food containers would not be possible without a partner to collect, wash and return the containers. 

More about the CoHo

Established in 1968, the CoHo is a not-for-profit unit of the Associated Students of UC Davis. It serves freshly prepared, natural and global specialties — made almost exclusively by students. 

A longtime partner of the Student Farm, the CoHo was an early adopter of organic coffee for retail sales and pre- and post-consumer composting. It received LEED Gold certification for its $9 million renovation in 2009. 

The CoHo employes seven full-time career staff, 15 part-time student managers, 45 student supervisors and more than 275 other students as cashiers, kitchen and service workers.