We Choose to Reuse Program
We are so excited to introduce the We Choose to Reuse program to our Deakin foodie community!
Guided by the University’s zero waste by 2030 commitment, we launched the We Choose to Reuse pilot program at the start of T1, 2023 in partnership with Sustainability Victoria. The We Choose to Reuse program aims to reduce disposable packaging in our food venues by providing a reusable dine-in option so that we can move towards our zero waste targets.
Which venues are participating?
The participating food venues are Market Hall, Mr. Tod, Barista Bar and Natural 1 at Waurn Ponds.How will it work?
Step 1: Grab it!
Ask our friendly staff for the dine-in option when you order and grab your food at the counter.
Step 2: Use it!
Sit down and enjoy your delicious food anywhere on campus.
Step 3: Return it!
When you have finished, just return the reusable plate/bowl to one of the trolleys in building JB or NA (level 1) at the Waurn Ponds campus, and we will collect the trolley, commercially clean the plate/bowl and have it ready to go for your next visit.
Step 4: Repeat!
All that is left to do is to repeat the process every time you order from one of our cafes at Waurn Ponds.
Ideas to impact:
With the community’s help, the We Choose to Reuse program can potentially save 110,000 items of packaging ending up in landfill annually. That’s a whole lot of rubbish!
Organics Waste Program
If you have been on campus lately, you may have seen the new bright green bin added to our waste system – this is our new organics waste bin!
In 2019, Deakin found that 40% of waste from our landfill bins consisted of organic materials that had the potential to be composted. Unfortunately, organic waste that ends up in landfill creates a highly potent greenhouse gas called methane. When methane is released into the atmosphere it can contribute to environmental pollution and global warming.
So, guided by the University’s commitments to sustainability, we have now implemented a green bin to all high organic waste producing areas – think libraries, cafés and central precincts. We have also included an organic waste caddy to all hospitality kitchens across all campuses, redirecting thousands of kilograms of food scraps from landfill.
We would love you to get involved! All you need to do is scrape your food scraps off your plate and into the green compost bin after eating and check if the container is compostable. You can ask a staff member if you are unsure.
Reusable Cup Discount Program
We love our coffee here at Deakin, but we don’t like the amount of waste our single-use coffee cups create. It is estimated that 1 billion single-use coffee cups end up in landfill per year!
That is why we have implemented the Reusable Cup Discount program at all food venues across all campuses. The Reusable Cup Discount program aims to reduce the waste created by single-use coffee cups by offering our customers a discount for bringing in their own reusable cup.
How does it work?
- Order a coffee.
- Present your clean reusable cup.
- Receive a discount when paying.
- Enjoy your coffee and clean your cup after you have finished.
- Repeat!
Ideas to impact:
With your help, we could save 323,551 single-use coffee cups from ending up in landfill annually.
Food venues will only accept clean and unbroken reusable cups.