Enjoy Meals To-Go with Reusable Containers on Campus!
Help us go zero-waste by joining the Wildcat ReusePass reusable to-go program.
This free borrow and return program for reusable containers is now available at Northern Lights Dining. ReusePass helps support our sustainability efforts and reduces waste from our dining program by using reusable containers for to-go orders.
How to Sign-Up
- Sign Up: Go to ReusePass to create your free account
- Have an international phone number? Follow these instructions to set up your ReusePass account.
Rent: Use your ReusePass QR to check out reusable containers
Tip: add your ReusePass QR code to Apple Wallet or screenshot for easy access
Enjoy: Enjoy your waste-free meal and return your container to Northern Lights Dining within 3 days.
To ensure food safety, we recommend eating or refrigerating food within 2 hours. Do not consume any leftover food that is more than 3 days old. Do not consume food that has been kept out for more than 2 hours. If you do not know how long food has been out, play it safe and do not consume. Food must be kept in a refrigerator that is 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less and must be reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be consumed safely.
Containers are not microwave safe.
How to Return Your Container(s)
- Remove any remaining food from your container
- Place your empty container into the return bin or dish carousel at Northern Lights Dining.
- That’s it! After you return your container our dining team scans, washes, and sanitizes your container so it can be used again and again. Your ReusePass account will update to reflect your return within 24-48 hours.
Why Reuse?
Reduce Waste
95% of plastics don't get recycled–even if you throw them in the blue bin! Instead, most single-use plastics end up in our oceans and landfills and bodies. Each time you choose to reuse, one less container goes to landfill.
Avoid Emissions
The production of single-use containers, even compostable ones, is a resource-intensive process. Each time you reuse, one less container needs to be manufactured, shipped overseas, and delivered to your campus.
Save Water
Yes, reuse requires washing. However, this sanitization process uses less water than is required for the production of a new single-use container.
ReusePass Impact
As a member of the ReusePass community, your daily habits add up to create real environmental change. Our participating campuses made a HUGE impact Fall 2023 - Spring 2024:
- Diverting nearly 1.3 million containers from landfills
- Saved 123,411 lbs of waste
- Saved 824,716 gallons of water
- Saved 857,480 lbs GHG Co2e
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reuse Pass?
ReusePass is a sustainability program that lets diners check out and return reusable to-go containers, reducing resource consumption and diverting single-use containers from landfills.
ReusePass makes checking out a reusable container as easy as checking out a library book! Each ReusePass user and container have a unique QR code. When you’re checking out a container, dining operators will scan your ReusePass QR and the container QR code, which starts your rental window. Like library books, all containers have a due date. Use your mobile number to access your ReusePass account, keep track of your containers, see return bin locations, and celebrate your positive planetary impact!
How do I join?
To sign up, simply go to app.ReusePass.com, select your campus, and enter the details requested.
What if I have an international phone number?
Unfortunately, ReusePass does not support international numbers. Luckily there is a work-around to this! If you have an international number please follow these instructions to set up your ReusePass account.
How do I check-out reusable containers?
Where and how to return container
Returning containers is easy! Simply compost remaining food scraps and drop your empty container in one of the return bins at Northern Lights Dining - no scanning necessary!
Once returned, the dining team will collect, sanitize and scan-in all returned containers.
Containers are typically scanned in by the dining team within 48hrs of drop-off, but it can sometimes take longer, especially over the weekend. If you’ve dropped your container(s) in a return bin on or before the due date, don’t worry, you’ve done your part!
🌟 Pro tip: You can see container due dates and find ReusePass return bin locations by navigating to your ReusePass account and clicking on “see return locations” in the top right corner.
How long can I keep my container?
Containers are due back 3 days after check-out, but we recommend returning them as soon as you're done so they can get sanitized and recirculated in the ReusePass ecosystem!
If you forget to return a container by the due date, we'll send you a late text reminding you to return the container ASAP to avoid a failed container rental. Once a container is marked as late, you'll have 48 hours to return it before the rental window closes.
Don't worry - our ReusePass app makes it easy to see container statuses and due dates!
How do I know which container to return?
What happens if a container breaks?
Accidents happen! If a container breaks, take a picture of the QR code on the container and send it to dining@nmu.edu. From there, please go ahead and return the broken container by the due date in a designated bin.
It’s important to return broken containers on time so we can give you credit for reusing. The dining team will use the QR code on the container to mark it as broken so they can understand the lifespan - and environmental impact - of each container.