To-Go Containers

You can get a To-Go container at the University Dining Center cashier's station by putting down a refundable $5 deposit. You can use Dining Dollars, cash,  or credit. MavCash is not accepted.

Bring your used To-Go container back to the dining center so University Dining staff can wash it. At that time, you can choose to get a new To-Go container or you can get your $5 deposit refunded.

You can bring it back right away, wait until the next time you are coming to the dining center, or just bring it the next time you remember.

Return your To-Go container and a refund of $5 will be credited to your Dining Dollar balance. If you used cash or credit card to purchase your To-Go container, a receipt must be presented for refund of cash value. If you lost or do not have your receipt, you will receive a refund of $5 to your Dining Dollars balance.

The Dining Dollars go back on your account right away and are immediately available for use.

The $5 refundable deposit helps motivate you to bring the container back. We researched Reusable To-Go Container programs at other schools and learned that when people got the containers for free, they were not as likely to return them. This meant that containers were piling up in student rooms (creating an insect problem) and the dining service would run out of the containers and need to purchase more. At schools that required a deposit for the containers, people were more likely to return them. Plus, the $5 pays for the container if it doesn't get returned.

No. University Dining does not allow outside containers because there's no way for them to guarantee that those containers are cleaned and sanitized.

No. University Dining will issue you a new container when you want a To-Go meal. This ensures that the container you use is clean and sanitized.

It's great if you do, but you can bring it back dirty. All returned containers are washed at a high temperature in the dish machine.

You can exchange your used To-Go container for a clean To-Go container. When you do an exchange, you get a new container but don't pay the $5 again. You'll get the $5 refund when you bring back a container and don't get a new one at the same time.

You can get another To-Go Meal container by putting down another $5 deposit for the second container. When you're ready, bring back your extra container to get the $5 refunded. Or, you can quickly go back to your room and get your other container!

Approximately 2,900 people live on campus and University Dining has about 6,000 containers.

You can get only a cup, but it will use a whole meal swipe.

No. You may get one cup and/or one container for each meal.

To-Go meal containers are only offered and refunded at the University Dining Center.

Chet's has disposable containers.

The reusable containers are refundable and exchangeable in the dining center only.

You can use cash or credit to put down your $5 deposit instead of using Dining Dollars.

You should keep your room door secured at all times. If you are a victim of theft, please contact University Security to file a report.

The container is stamped "dishwasher safe" and makes no reference to microwave safety. We do not recommend microwaving To-Go containers.

Reusable cups are a possibility in the future.

It might be easier on all of us, but it's not necessarily easier on the planet! Sustainable practices are important to students, faculty, and staff. Sustainable practices are also important to University Dining Services. Learn more about sustainability efforts at the University and within University Dining.