Hi Kayla,

Here at the University of Florida we offer incentives for reusable’s that tend to be working very well.

Coffee Mugs: We offer a 25 cent discount when someone brings their own reusable mug. Last year we saved over 23,000 coffee cups from entering the landfill.

Reusable Cups: We sell Gator logoed 32 oz. BPA-free plastic cups for $2.99 at all retail locations and offer a 99 cent refill when the cup is used. We typically sell/give-away 10,000 a year.

Reusable to go containers: We have reusable to go containers available in our residential dining halls. We offer the containers at a $4 refundable deposit per one container checked out. If a student wants two checked out, they pay two deposits. We also offer compostable to go boxes for 40 cents. This program has properly incentivized students/staff to use the reusable to go containers. Last year we offered the compostable to go containers at no charge and the reusable containers came with the meal plan, and the students were charged if the containers were not returned. Last year we had 4,000 container check outs with about 2,000 people enrolled in the program (that is an average of 2 container uses per enrolled customer). So far this year was have already hit 4,000 check outs and have 1600 students enrolled in the program. Keys to success - when a student pays for the container, they tend to use it more and take responsibility for the container.

I hope this information is helpful!
-Dana Falstad

Hi Dana,

Thanks for the information and the contacts you sent along, I'm sure those will help. We have similar incentives, 30 cent discounts on the cups and mugs. How do you advertise these refill prices? So far we've had little signs on the cups and mugs, but it can be a little confusing. Our coffee is local, so it's more expensive, with a reusable mug it's $1.29 and the reusable cups are 99 cent refill for fountain beverages. But you can fill the cups with ice coffee, but you don't get the 99 cent discount, still the $1.29. I'd be interested to see how you do it. Thank you

Hi Dana,

Thanks for the information and the contacts you sent along, I'm sure those will help. We have similar incentives, 30 cent discounts on the cups and mugs. How do you advertise these refill prices? So far we've had little signs on the cups and mugs, but it can be a little confusing. Our coffee is local, so it's more expensive, with a reusable mug it's $1.29 and the reusable cups are 99 cent refill for fountain beverages. But you can fill the cups with ice coffee, but you don't get the 99 cent discount, still the $1.29. I'd be interested to see how you do it. Thank you

Hi Dana,

Thanks for the information and the contacts you sent along, I'm sure those will help. We have similar incentives, 30 cent discounts on the cups and mugs. How do you advertise these refill prices? So far we've had little signs on the cups and mugs, but it can be a little confusing. Our coffee is local, so it's more expensive, with a reusable mug it's $1.29 and the reusable cups are 99 cent refill for fountain beverages. But you can fill the cups with ice coffee, but you don't get the 99 cent discount, still the $1.29. I'd be interested to see how you do it. Thank you