Alison Cove
Founder
USEFULL
USEFULL provides a tech-enabled, plastic-free takeout solution for college dining operations, utilizing a QR code tracking system to ensure over 99% return rates of reusable stainless steel containers. This approach addresses the environmental impact of single-use plastics by significantly reducing waste and lowering costs for institutions by 25-40% compared to traditional disposable options.
- Clean Technology
- Enterprise Software
- Hardware
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Software Only
Updated 23 months ago
Funding
Raised to date
$5.8MRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Funding rounds are not available yet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Colleges and universities face increasing pressure to reduce waste from single-use plastic takeout containers, which contribute significantly to landfill waste and environmental pollution. Traditional disposable options are costly and unsustainable, while implementing reusable container programs can be logistically complex and prone to low return rates.
Solution
USEFULL provides a tech-enabled, reusable container system designed to eliminate single-use plastic in college dining operations. The system utilizes stainless steel containers tracked via QR codes, ensuring a high return rate through user-friendly technology and incentivized returns. USEFULL integrates with campus card systems and order-ahead platforms, providing a seamless experience for students and dining staff. The platform also offers data tracking and reporting, allowing institutions to quantify their environmental impact and improve sustainability rankings.
Target Audience
USEFULL targets colleges, universities, and other educational institutions seeking to reduce waste, lower costs associated with disposable containers, and improve their sustainability profile.
Features
- Durable, thermal stainless steel containers designed for repeated use
- QR code tracking system to monitor container checkouts and returns
- Mobile app for students to manage container loans and track their environmental impact
- Integration with campus card systems (CBORD, Touchnet, etc.) for easy checkout
- Data analytics dashboard for administrators to monitor program performance and waste reduction
- Automated reminders and notifications to encourage timely container returns
- Option to lease containers, reducing upfront capital expenditure