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Sustainability

EcoTainer Program

EcoTainerDickinson Dining Service takes great pride in providing EcoTainers to the campus community. This is a sustainability initiative aimed at minimizing waste, water and energy consumption while providing convenient and cost-effective to-go options for Dickinsonians.

These durable containers are crafted from polypropylene, ensuring longevity and eco-friendliness. Through an efficient washing and sanitation process conducted by Dickinson, these containers can be repeatedly utilized, further contributing to the reduction of the environmental impacts of our campus.  

The program works on an opt-in, one-time fee ($7) basis where participants possess either an EcoTainer or an equivalent token. Joining the program will give you one soup and one entrée container. Dirty EcoTainers can be exchanged for tokens, and tokens can be redeemed for clean EcoTainers whenever needed. 

EcoTainers can be used in Union Station and the Dining Hall. The Dining Hall is the only location with soup available for ecotaner soup pails.

EcoTainer Rules: 

  • You cannot dine in the Dining Hall and take a meal to-go.  

  • Only one meal option per swipe (dine-in or to-go). 

  • EcoTainer use in the Dining Hall is for to-go meals only. 

  • You cannot dine in with your EcoTainer in the Dining Hall. 

  • There are no EcoTainer refills. 

  • Your entrée and soup container can be used at the same time in the Dining Hall. 

  • Lost EcoTainers or tokens will result in having to join the program again ($7.00). 


Directions for our EcoTainers

Step 1:
Join the EcoTainer program for a one-time $7 fee. This will get you 1 soup and 1 entrée container or equivalent tokens. These containers/tokens can be purchased at the Dining Hall or Union Station. Once in the program, you can participate each year of your Dickinson experience. Payments options: 7 Flex Points, $7 Devil Dollars, $7 Dining Dollars, $7 Declining Balance, $7 credit card, or one ANY21 swipe.

Step 2:

Return your used EcoTainer to Union Station or the Dining Hall to be cleaned promptly after use and exchanged for a token. Dining Services will wash and care for the EcoTainers. You will have a choice to receive a wooden token or a clean EcoTainer in exchange.

Step 3:
To receive a clean EcoTainer with your food packed, order online and select the "EcoTainer" button. Then present your wooden token to the staff at Union Station when picking up your meal.

FAQs about the EcoTainer Program

Can I bring my own containers for to-go food in the Dining Hall? 
No, only Dickinson EcoTainers can be used for this purpose! However, you can bring your own tumbler/cup/mug for a beverage to-go. 

Can I bring my own cup or tumbler to Dickinson Dining Services?

Yes, if ordering online you must select the "bring my own cup" menu option and bring your own cup. If you ordered a specialty drink our staff will wait until you arrive to make your drink so they can pour your drink into your mug. For any self-serve beverage you can use your own eco-cup to help save the environment.

Can I use the soup EcoTainer and entrée EcoTainer during the same meal? 

Yes, this option is available in the Dining Hall. Just make sure to keep track of your tokens if you are also a soup lover.  

Will other to-go options be available if I don't join the EcoTainer program for $7.00? 

Answer: Not in the Dining Hall. Yes in Union Station. The only option for to-go food in the Dining Hall is to be in the EcoTainer program. In the Union Station, we will offer single-use disposable to-go options as well, but this choice is less sustainable. You can bring your own tumbler/cup/mug to any Dickinson dining location. 

Where can I buy an Eco-Cup to use?

Please feel free to bring your own beverage container from home or purchase a tumbler/cup/mug from the Dickinson College Bookstore.

Will other takeout containers be available if I don't buy into the program?

These offerings are only available to those who commit to this sustainable initiative.

Can I wash my EcoTainers and reuse them without having to exchange them? 

No, for health and safety purposes, all EcoTainers must be washed and sanitized by Dining Services prior to each use, even if they are already clean. 

Can I bring my own containers to the Culinary Services location(s)?

Only Dining Services-approved containers can be used for food, however, you can bring your own tumbler/cup/mug. If ordering online you must select the "bring my own cup" menu option and bring your own cup. If you ordered a specialty drink our staff will wait until you arrive to make your drink so they can pour your drink into your mug. For any self-serve beverage, you can use your own tumbler/cup/mug.

Can I wash my EcoTainers and reuse them without having to exchange them?

All containers must be washed and sanitized by Dickinson Dining Services prior to each use.

Do I have to buy into the program each year?

This one-time buy in is good for all four years you're at Dickinson. If you loose your token and/or EcoTainer, you will be reuqired to buy-in again to receive a new EcoTainer.