As we approach the end of the academic year, I thought it might be good to get some facts up about GustieWare–our reusable take out containers.
Gustavus serves about 5,500 meals per day in our MarketPlace with roughly 25% of them in the form of take out.
Disposable take out box (corrugated cardboard) consumption at Gustavus has been reduced by 45% year to date. This amounts to a potential annualized 101,250 units which cost an average of $0.25 each–annual savings of $25,312.
Gustavus’ investment in GustieWare for the first year is just over $20,000.00 (around 5,000 units). We will see net savings this year and will have saved a few trees in the process. There is considerable inventory loss (college students are good at borrowing, not so good at returning) so our savings could be much larger than it will be this first year of the program. We expect the learning curve to flatten in year 2 and 3 of the program as better habits are formed and the process becomes routine. It will be interesting to see how many of the GustieWare items find their way back to us when residence halls, apartments, and other student dwellings are vacated this Spring.
The items we use are produced locally by NordicWare and are part of their Microwave line. We’re very pleased with the NordicWare product quality–lids snap on well and both tops and bottoms hold up to the extreme temperatures of industrial dish washing equipment.
Overall, we view GustieWare as being a (qualified) successful program roll-out and have great hope for even greater efficiency (making the return part routine) as we proceed.
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