Sheridan + Friendlier Reusable Food Container Program
Sheridan’s Office for Sustainability and Campus Services teams are partnering with Friendlier, a company that provides reusable food containers, to reduce waste generated on campus from single use containers! Starting October 7, 2024, with a pilot launch at Sheridan’s Trafalgar Road Campus, all meals from offered from the Chef’s Corner and Grab ‘n Go stations will be served in Friendlier reusable containers.
Why This Matters
In support of Sheridan’s zero waste objectives, we are taking proactive steps to address the waste generated by single use food packaging on campus. Our 2023 waste audit for the Trafalgar Road Campus revealed that food packaging represented over 25% of specific wastes disposed in our waste-to-landfill bins on campus. By substituting disposable containers with reusable alternatives, we aim to reduce waste-to-landfill and encourage a culture of reuse and waste reduction on campus.
How It Works
Friendlier is making it easy for us to reduce waste with their reusable food containers. The process is simple:
- Order Meal, Pay Deposit
Receive your meal in a Friendlier container and pay a refundable deposit of $0.50.
- Create a Friendlier account
Download the free Friendlier mobile app (Apple download or Android Download) or create an account on the Friendlier website.
- Scan and Return
After enjoying your meal, scan the QR code on the container using the Friendlier app (or enter the container code on the Friendlier website) and return your empty container to one of the designated Friendlier collection bins in the B-wing cafeteria or C-wing Learning Commons. Users must scan their containers before returning them to claim refunds.
- Get Your Deposit Back
Within 1-2 weeks of scanning and returning your container, once Friendlier verifies that the containers were returned, refunds will be available for users to claim through their Friendlier app or web account. Users can then redeem their refund via e-Transfer or choose to donate the value to charity right within the Friendlier app.
How it works:
Friendlier at Sheridan FAQs
- Where are Friendlier containers offered at Sheridan? Friendlier containers will be available only at the Trafalgar Road Campus Chef’s Corner and Grab ‘n Go stations beginning October 7, 2024. Friendlier containers will not be available at branded food offerings such as Pizza Pizza or Tim Horton’s. This is a pilot program and will be evaluated for potential expansion to Davis and/or HMC campuses in the future.
- Where do I return my Friendlier containers at Sheridan? Friendlier-branded collection bins will be available at several locations around the Trafalgar Road Campus, including the B-wing cafeteria and staff lounge, the C-wing Learning Commons, and K-129 kitchenette. Click here to see bin location map,
- Do I have to wash my Friendlier container before returning? Containers are not required to be washed, but they must be empty. Please scrape out any food scraps into the adjacent organics (green) bin prior to scanning and returning your Friendlier container.
- Can I keep the Friendlier container? For this reuse program to succeed, users must return the containers to a designated Friendlier collection bin when they are done using them. Friendlier collects, sanitizes, and reuses each container up to 100 times!
- What if my container gets broken or damaged? Broken containers should still be scanned and returned into the Friendlier collection bins as usual – you will still receive a refund for them! Friendlier will ensure any containers that don’t meet their quality inspection are properly recycled.
- Can I bring my own reusable container? No, the food services staff will always hand you a clean Friendlier container to ensure that it has been properly sanitized.
Please see the Friendlier’s FAQ webpage for answers to other common questions: https://www.friendlier.ca/general-5
For more information about Sheridan’s partnership with Friendlier, please contact missionzero@sheridancollege.ca
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