Usefull

08/31/2026

What’s the business case for plastic-free campus dining?

Lower recurring disposable costs. Less waste. Support for sustainability goals. A better takeout experience. And technology that makes reuse easier to manage.

A new article from Illumia looks at why more campuses are considering plastic-free reuse and how the Illumia + USEFULL integration can help make it work operationally.

Read the article: https://illumiatech.com/resources/blog/illumia/2026/07/28/the-business-case-for-plastic-free-campus-dining

Dustin Ramsdell

08/21/2026

Plastic pollution is bigger than what ends up in the recycling bin.

The Citizens vs. the Plastics Industry explores the push to address plastic at its source and includes perspective from USEFULL Founder & CEO Alison Cove. At USEFULL, that idea is central to our mission: rather than continually managing disposable waste, let's build systems that prevent it from being created in the first place.

Read the article in The New Climate: https://medium.com/the-new-climate/the-citizens-vs-the-plastics-industry-8bb5f7fed751

08/10/2026

Campuses don't need another reminder that disposable foodware creates a problem. They need practical ways to move beyond it.

As grab-and-go, campus markets, cafés and mobile ordering continue to grow, plastic-free reuse needs to work just as seamlessly as single-use does today.

Our latest blog looks at how reuse can become part of the everyday campus dining infrastructure, supporting convenience without the mountain of disposables.

Read the blog: https://www.usefull.us/why-college-campuses-must-move-beyond-single-use-dining/

07/16/2026

What does it take to make reuse work beyond the pilot stage? Join USEFULL founder and CEO Alison Cove on July 21 for a Plastic Pollution Coalition webinar exploring practical reuse in universities, schools, senior living, stadiums and other foodservice settings.

Alison and the panel, including Upstream and Ahimsa, will share lessons from building plastic-free takeout systems that are simple for users and workable for operators.

Register: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/event/ppc-webinar-072126

07/13/2026

We're excited to be exhibiting at the National Conference!

Visit Booth #515 to see how plastic-free reuse is transforming campus retail dining.

We'll be showcasing our new single-wall grab-and-go containers and a retail cold case display that brings today's student dining experience to life.

Stop by and see how reuse can work for your cafés, markets, mobile ordering, and grab-and-go programs.

See you in New Orleans!

Get in touch to learn more: https://www.usefull.us/contact-us/

07/01/2026

It's Plastic-Free July.

Maybe it's time to break up with single-use for good.

Here's to making plastic-free reuse the easy choice in every dining program.

💚 Happy Plastic-Free July.

https://www.usefull.us/

06/30/2026

Learn more about reuse for senior living communities here https://www.usefull.us/senior-living/

Each quarter, Plastic Pollution Coalition is reporting exciting news from companies that are leading the way for a transition away from fossil fuels and synthetic materials to a healthier plastic-free future.

06/22/2026

Congratulations to the University of Pittsburgh and PittEats on receiving National Association of College & University Food Services Gold awards for Waste Reduction and Retail Sales Marketplace of the Year!

These awards were part of a larger showing for Pitt, which also earned NACUFS recognition for New Facility of the Year and Catering Program of the Year, underscoring its leadership across the campus dining experience.

These honors recognize the incredible work being done by the Pitt Dining team to create a better, more sustainable dining experience for students.

We're proud to support their efforts through plastic-free reuse and excited to see their leadership recognized nationally.

Congratulations, Pitt!

06/08/2026

Welcome to the world, reuse symbol! We’re so glad you’re here.

Thank you to and PR3 for launching the new global symbol for reusable products, packaging, and systems.

The future is reusable!

06/05/2026

Welcome to the world, reuse symbol. We're so happy to meet you!