BOSTON, MA AND DECORAH, IA / ACCESS Newswire / March 11, 2026 / Luther College is taking a major step toward zero-waste takeout by launching USEFULL, a tech-enabled stainless steel reuse system for campus dining. In partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company, Luther is the latest Midwest institution to eliminate single-use plastics from its residential takeout program.

The program recently debuted at Oneota Market, where students can check out USEFULL containers, seamlessly integrating sustainability into their daily dining routines. Reuse is growing in retail dining on campus, and this is a step forward for Luther to eliminate plastic from its retail waste streams.

Luther joins a growing cohort of environmentally conscious colleges in the region adopting USEFULL, including Carleton College, St. Olaf College, and Case Western Reserve University. All are members of the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) and demonstrate a shared commitment to practical, impactful reuse programs.

"This partnership reflects our community's core values around sustainability and care for the environment," said Kara Holmstrom, Luther's sustainability coordinator. "USEFULL is helping us build a healthier and more responsible campus dining culture, while reducing waste and ensuring flexibility for our students who want to take food on-the-go."

USEFULL's system uses durable stainless steel containers with silicone lids to keep meals hot or cold for hours, providing students with a premium dining experience while eliminating reliance on plastic and short-life reusables. Its technology platform includes container tracking, automatic return reminders, and performance reporting at both the institutional and individual level.

"Luther College is part of a real movement in the Midwest to rethink campus waste and do reuse right," said Alison Cove, founder and CEO of USEFULL. "We're proud to support the college's commitment to long-term sustainability with a reuse system that students and dining teams love to use."

The program is free to students, with minor fees applied only to late or unreturned containers. By integrating with Bon Appétit's sustainability leadership and Luther's campus-wide environmental goals, USEFULL helps reduce operational costs, cuts landfill waste, and addresses rising concerns over microplastic ingestion and food safety.

About USEFULL

USEFULL is building a zero-waste future by eliminating plastics and single-use packaging from the takeout stream in higher ed dining operations. Its tech-enabled stainless steel system helps customers reduce waste, save water, cut emissions, and drive lasting behavior change. Designed with student health in mind, USEFULL offers a safer, non-toxic alternative to plastic containers, supporting both institutional goals and individual wellbeing. Learn more at https://www.usefull.us.

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

Contact:
Mark O'Toole
mark@usefull.us

SOURCE: USEFULL