Success Story
Student union Lower Bavaria/ Upper Palatinate
Effortless Packaging Reduction: Setting New Sustainability Standards at Universities.
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Efficient and practical waste reduction solution for cafeterias and dining halls
For the student union Lower Bavaria/ Upper Palatinate, the pandemic related increase in to-go packaging waste became a significant challenge. The introduction of Relevo’s deposit-free reusable system provided an efficient and practical waste reduction solution that integrated seamlessly into the existing operations of the cafeterias and dining halls.
The student union Lower Bavaria/ Upper Palatinate (Studentenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz (STWNO)) is a public institution that supports students at the universities of Regensburg, Deggendorf, Landshut, Passau, Straubing and Pfarrkirchen in areas such as their dining services, housing and student finacial aid (BAföG), as well as cultural promotion, social counseling and psychological support. In total, the services of the student union cover nearly 60,000 students and staff members.
Here is the success story of a student services organization that not only eliminated single-use packaging but also demonstrated its own innovative entrepreneurial spirit.
- Uses 100% Reusables since December 2020
- From 1,500 Daily Disposables to a Sustainable Reusable System
- 330,000 Packaging Items Saved
The challenges
Even before the pandemic, STWNO had already taken various steps to reduce packaging waste. For example, in early 2020, disposable cups were replaced with porcelain deposit mugs. However, just a few months later, all dining halls and cafeterias had to close due to COVID-19 regulations and upon reopening, were only allowed to offer take-away service.
Although STWNO offered compostable disposable packaging made from bagasse, the majority of users did not dispose of them properly in compost bins as recommended, therfore making this an ineffective solution. Since the waste disposal infrastructure at the universities was generally not designed to handle such large volumes which lead to significant littering. With up to 1,500 disposable containers used daily, it quickly became clear that an alternative solution was necessary.
The solution
The STWNO eventually became aware of the Relevo reusable system, which stood out among other providers due to various advantages. The decisive factors were primarily the high quality of Relevo’s packaging containers and the absence of monthly fixed costs. Since December 2020, the student union has switched 100% to reusable solutions.
Product developer Markus Bauer was impressed by how smoothly the system integration went. Despite the limited time span between signing the contract and implementation, the delivery deadlines for the containers were successfully met: “Others make empty promises, but Relevo delivered!” Initial concerns about the acceptance of an app-based system were also overcome by offering the option for students to bring their own containers or purchase Relevo packaging as alternatives.
The Relevo reusable system provides our students and staff with a highly sustainable solution to enjoy their meals wherever they are.
- Nicolas Müller, Manager Public Relation
The results
By April 2022, nearly 330,000 packaging items had already been saved through the introduction of Relevo. Markus Bauer believes that the reusable trend will continue “post-COVID” and become the new standard. According to him, the system is still well received, even though on-site dining has resumed.
His overall assessment is consistently positive and goes far beyond just waste reduction: In addition to a cleaner campus, STWNO is also able to save money since the rental fee for the reusable packaging containers is lower than the unit price of disposable packaging. Moreover, during the lockdown, STWNO discovered a new business opportunity through the introduction of Relevo and launched a cafeteria delivery service with pre-orders. The concept was very well received by cafeteria guests, who appreciated having their meals delivered in Relevo containers to their homes, allowing them to avoid cooking after a long day.
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