This free borrow and return program for reusable containers is now available on campus! ReusePass helps support our sustainability efforts and reduces waste from our dining program by using reusable containers for your meal at the Atrium.

A photo of what Reuse Pass looks like on a phone screen

How the ReusePass program works

  1. Download the ReusePass app
  2. Use the app to check out a reusable container at the cash register and pay with your meal plan lunch or dinner swipe, cash, or credit card.
  3. You also receive a 16 oz. compostable cup for a beverage or you can bring your own clean drink container up to a 32 oz. size to use.
  4. Help yourself to all of the food options.
  5. Lid must close upon exit.
  6. Enjoy your meal.

Return the used container to one of the designated receptacles in the Atrium within 5 days, or you will be charged the cost of the container ($3.50).

Note: You must have a Ball State University email address and a credit or debit card on file for any extra charges (such as late charges) to use the program. 

Returning containers is easy! Simply drop your container in a ReusePass return bin in the Atrium - 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 48 hours 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


Graphic for Reuse Pass checkout timeline

Yes, the app is free to download, and is how you check out the reusable containers. You can download the app here.

One Eco-Takeouts polypropylene container replaces 1,000 disposable containers. And they are purchased from a company in Texas. When we are ready to dispose of the container for good if it breaks or reaches end of life, they are recyclable.

Reuse Pass reusable container image. Green transluscent divider food containerView of opened green transluscent food container used for the Reuse Pass program

Accidents happen! If a container breaks, take a picture of the QR code on the container and send it to your campus dining team at dining@bsu.edu or your campus ReusePass SMS number. 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.

Absolutely! You can check out as many containers as you need—there's no limit! Please refer to the next question for details on returning if multiple checked-out containers.

Great question! You don’t need to keep track of the exact containers you’ve checked out each day, any container of the same type due will count as a return. For example, if you have five to-go containers at home and one is due today, you can return any one of them to complete your rental.

Yes. You receive a reminder of the due date and will have 48 hours to return the container. If the container is outstanding past the due date, you will be charged $3.50 to the credit/debit card on file.

No, you can leave food in the container if the food is fresh, or you can throw food waste away before you bring the container back to the Atrium, but you do not need to wash the container.

Each container is returned to the dish room, where it is thoroughly cleaned before being sent through the industrial dishwashing machine, just like dinner plates or crockery at your favorite restaurants.

Yes! You can use these containers to heat up your food when you arrive to your destination if you take it to-go.  Please follow standard food safety practices by refrigerating your food if you don’t plan to eat it right away or are saving some for later.

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

Thank you for helping us be better stewards of the earth and our campus. If you have questions about the ReusePass program here at Ball State University, please contact University Dining at dining@bsu.edu or call (765)285-1967.