Success Story
Student Union Aachen
Sustainable and Comprehensive Solution for Take-Away Meals for 64,000 Students
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Simple Handling that Convinces
In mid-September 2021, all cafeterias in the Aachen and Jülich university campuses switched their to-go service to our reusable system. After that, single-use packaging was only available for an additional fee. Our deposit-free concept thus became the sustainable, widespread solution for take-away meals for 64.000 students.
As the operator of the cafeterias in Aachen and Jülich, the student union Aachen serves around 64,000 students from regional universities and employs approximately 500 staff members. With ten cafeterias, seven coffee shops and four coffee bars, it offers a wide range of meal options. These include, among others, the Jülich cafeteria on the FH Aachen campus and several locations in Aachen such as Mensa Academica, Mensa Vita and Ahornstraße, welcoming thousands of guests daily. The student union has always aimed to combine socially responsible, regionally rooted cafeteria meals at fair prices with modern infrastructure and a strong focus on sustainability.
- 95% of Students Expressed a Desire for a Reusable System
- 64,000 students
- Added Surcharge on Disposable Packaging Containers as a Motivator
The challenges
During the pandemic, the student union saw a significant increase in to-go purchases and recognized that this trend would continue. To avoid the resulting packaging waste, they decided to implement Relevo’s deposit-free reusable solution.
From then on, food and beverages were to be served exclusively in Relevo cups and bowls. This transition was actively supported and driven by Arnold Mattes, Head of Dining Services at the student union Aachen, as well as by the General Student Committee (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss AStA) and the student body itself.
“Our survey showed that 95 percent of the students questioned wanted a reusable system. We are very glad that it has now become a reality with Relevo”, says Maxime Metzler, Sustainablility Project Lead at the AStA.
The solution
In the end, the student union Aachen was won over by our reusable to-go solution, not only because it works without a deposit, but also because it’s app-based. This way, students and canteen visitors don’t need to carry extra cards or IDs, just their smartphone.
“We are thrilled that the largest student service provider in Aachen and Jülich is relying on Relevo to develop its diverse range of services in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.”, says Matthias Potthast, founder and CEO of Relevo, expressing his excitement about the new partnership.
As an additional incentive to use reusable containers, the cafeteria operations also decided to charge a surcharge for single-use packaging. At the start of the transition to the Relevo system, the General Student Committee, together with students, independently produced various videos to help with the first steps using Relevo.
The switch to the Relevo reusable system is one of the top priorities in the catering sector of the student union Aachen. This is a groundbreaking signal and can only be the beginning of sustainable university gastronomy.
Arnold Mattes, Head of Catering at Student Union Aachen
Results
“The app-based solution is now being used especially frequently in student cafeterias, as experience shows that the acceptance of returns is extremely high among students. Since November, we have been pleased to offer over 64,000 students in and around Aachen the opportunity to enjoy their to-go meals sustainably in Relevo packaging containers, taking an active step towards zero waste with the cafeterias of the Aachen and Jülich university area.”, explains David Winkel, Key Account Manager North, Northwest at Relevo.
The introduction of our reusable system in the cafeterias of the student union Aachen and Jülich marked an important step towards sustainability and waste reduction. Since the switch to the deposit-free system in September 2021, over 64,000 students in and around Aachen have been able to enjoy their to-go meals sustainably in Relevo packaging. With this initiative, the student union Aachen is setting a sustainable standard in university catering and is taking a decisive step towards zero waste together with the cafeterias of the Aachen and Jülich university area.
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