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Cornell University

Cornell Dining

Sustainable Consumer Initiatives

Reusable Mug Program

We're excited to improve the Cornell Dining Reusable Beverage Container Program. Cornell Dining sells reusable stainless steel coffee mugs in our coffee houses and cafés, and you're welcome to bring your own. The initial purchase also includes the first beverage.

Grab your favorite clean cup, mug or tumbler and save 15% on all self-serve hot or iced coffee, craft beverages, tea, and fountain beverages. Available at select Cornell Dining Cafés and retail units:

  • Amit Bhatia Libe Cafe
  • Atrium Café
  • Bear Necessities
  • Big Red Barn
  • Bus Stop Bagels
  • Café Jennie
  • Dairy Bar
  • Goldie's Cafe
  • Green Dragon
  • Jansen’s Market
  • Mann Café
  • Martha’s Café
  • Mattin’s
  • Novick's Café
  • Rusty’s
  • Straight from the Market
  • Trillium
  • Vet College Café
     

Reusable Takeout Containers

Each year, millions of disposable paper and styrofoam containers end up in landfills after just one use. As part of Cornell Dining's Sustainability Action Plan, we're taking steps to reduce the use of single-use disposable containers. Guests who'd like to take their meals to go at several of our eateries have the option to use a reusable container thanks to an initiative we launched in 2017.

Cornell Dining is partnering with Fill it Forward to offer reusable takeout containers at eight residential dining rooms, including Morrison Dining and North Star Dining Room on North Campus, Okenshields and Straight from the Market on Central Campus, and all five of our West Campus House System dining rooms.

Containers are available for purchase for $5 at each of these dining rooms. Fill it up, enjoy your meal, and return it for cleaning and sanitizing. 

Using the Fill it Forward app, you can track the impact of your use of reusable takeout containers, as well as the environmental impact of using your own reusable coffee mug or water bottle. Every scan unlocks a donation and tracks the impact of diverting another single-use item from our landfills and oceans.

Reusable Takeout Container

Use your reusable takeout container at:

  • Okenshields and Straight from the Market on central campus 
  • Morrison Dining and North Star Dining Room on north campus
  • Jansen's Dining Room in Hans Bethe House, Rose House Dining Room, Cook House Dining Room, Keeton House Dining Room, and Becker House Dining Room on west campus 

Reusable takeout containers are not available at and should not be brought to Risley Dining Room (which is gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree-nut-free) or 104West! (which is certified kosher) due to cross-contamination concerns.

Even when you're not on campus, these reusable containers are perfect for carrying food from home, going to a picnic, or heating up your leftovers. They're dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe.

Please remember to wipe food residue out of your container as soon as you're done with your meal.

Student Engagement

The Student Sustainability Coordinators (SSCs) are a team of passionate students within Cornell Dining that help create and promote sustainability initiatives for everyone around campus. They're instrumental in supporting our food waste studies, assisting with sampling of vegan items at our retail locations, and providing information at events.