University of Guelph Processing Over 500k Reuses Per Year with a 99% Return Rate

Introduction

The University of Guelph, renowned for its leadership in hospitality and food services, took a major step toward sustainability by transitioning from a manual “I Am Reusable” program to a technology-driven reusable container system in partnership with Reusables.com.

Brooke Gregoire, Manager of Hospitality Services, led the shift to a more seamless, data-driven, and flexible approach to sustainability in campus dining.

Reusables made the whole process simpler — not harder — for our students. The collaboration and customization made all the difference.
Brooke Gregoire, Manager of Hospitality Services, University of Guelph

Background: The Old System

Before implementing Reusables, the University ran a card-based program that relied on physical tracking of reusable containers. This “I Am Reusable” model, though well-intentioned, quickly became logistically challenging:

• The system required constant replacement of lost or unreturned containers.
• Tracking was manual and inconsistent, leading to low return rates.
• Students often found the process confusing or cumbersome at checkout.

The hospitality team wanted a solution that could maintain the sustainability goals without adding operational friction.

Solution: Partnering with Reusables.com

Brooke and her team selected Reusables for its flexibility and customization options. Unlike a cookie-cutter sustainability solution, Reusables collaborated with the university to build a system that aligned with campus operations and student behaviors.Key factors that drove the decision:

• Customizable workflows tailored to the University’s hospitality setup.
• Collaborative marketing and communication, co-designed to fit the Guelph brand voice.
• Seamless integration at point-of-sale, keeping transactions fast and intuitive for students.

Brooke noted that the Reusables team took a hands-on, iterative approach, working closely with Guelph’s staff to adjust marketing materials and operational details throughout the rollout.

Implementation & Experience

The launch of the Reusables program began in September, across multiple dining halls and cafeterias. The hospitality team immediately noticed improvements in return rates and student participation.

According to Brooke; “We weren’t just running off of a template — we were able to do something that worked specifically for our operations. Students found it simple and easy to use.” This simplicity at checkout encouraged more consistent returns and reduced confusion for staff and students alike.

Brooke also emphasized how communication strategy varied from school to school — and Reusables supported that difference by tailoring materials for the University of Guelph’s specific community.

Results: Tangible Impact in Months

Since launching the new program, the University of Guelph has achieved 29,015 reuses — a significant sustainability milestone in just a few months.This not only translates to thousands of single-use containers diverted from landfills, but also showcases how a university-led initiative can create scalable change with the right tools and partners.

Beyond the environmental benefit, Brooke highlighted the efficiency and ease of the system:“It’s a small impact that doesn’t take too much out of my day — just choosing a reusable instead of single-use makes a real difference.”

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration is critical: Reusables worked side-by-side with campus teams to fine-tune the rollout.
• Ease drives participation: When sustainable choices are simpler, adoption rates soar.
• Data creates accountability: Tracking reuses offers measurable proof of impact.
• Customization matters: Each campus has its own culture — one size doesn’t fit all.

Every school is different, and Reusables understood that. That’s why this worked for us.
Brooke Gregoire, Manager of Hospitality Services, University of Guelph

Conclusion

The University of Guelph’s partnership with Reusables demonstrates how institutions can combine innovation, customization, and collaboration to make sustainable dining simple and scalable. By empowering students and staff with a seamless experience, the University has positioned itself as a leader in operational sustainability — one reusable container at a time.

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