Lunchbox Lending Programme
We must change our takeaway behaviour
Disposable take-away containers are a significant contributor to the overall amount of waste going to the landfills from university operations. This programme will implement a takeaway container borrowing programme on each of the eight campuses over a three-year period. A bespoke system that is university-friendly and can be replicable in other locations will be built.
Get ready to change your campus life for the better! Something new, life-changing, and sustainably good is happening in 8 university campuses! Join the lunchbox revolution! Say goodbye to disposable waste and hello to sustainability with our new reusable meal container lending system. Simply grab a reusable container at the lending machine before you buy takeaway, fill it with your favourite food, and return it at the return machine when you're done. Let's make a positive impact on our beloved planet one meal at a time!
#RETHINK our behaviour
#REDUCE one-time disposable
#REVITALISE our nature
Programme Timeline + Progress
October 2024
Addition of reusable soup bowl and cutlery options, and improvement on machine user interface
January 2024
Integration with green lifestyle app Carbon Wallet to incentivise choosing reusables on-campus
31 October 2023
Launching Ceremony at CityU
September 2023
Full launch in CityU, CUHK, EdUHK, HKBU, HKU, LU, and PolyU
June 2023
Full launch in HKUST
May 2023
Trial period in HKUST
Location of the Machines
| University | Location of Container Lending Machine | Location of Container Return Machine |
| HKUST |
Outside LG1 Canteen Outside Passione |
Atrium (Near Lift 2) Outside Passione |
| CityU | Near the entrance of City Express | Near the entrance of City Express |
| CUHK | Near the entrance of Benjamin Franklin Centre student canteen | Near the entrance of Benjamin Franklin Centre student canteen |
| EdUHK | Near the cashier of the main canteen | Near counter E of the main canteen |
| HKBU |
5/F, Academic and Administration Building (Outside main canteen) |
3/F, Academic and Administration Building (Near escalator) |
| HKU | 4/F Podium, Haking Wong Building (Outside student canteen) | 4/F Podium, Haking Wong Building (Outside student canteen) |
| LU | Near the cashier of the canteen | Near the entrance of the canteen |
| PolyU | 1/F, Block VA / VS (Main Staircase on the way to student canteen) | 1/F, Block VA / VS (Main Staircase on the way to student canteen) |
How to Borrow?
1️⃣ On the touch screen, select the item(s) for borrowing.
2️⃣ Tap your Octopus card to pay the $20 deposit for each item.
3️⃣ Grab your reusable item(s) and enjoy your meal!
4️⃣ Collect Carbon Wallet points by scanning the QR code on screen
♻️ Let's make sustainability a part of our daily routine.
How to Return?
1️⃣ Remove food waste and liquid, no cleansing is required!
(Note: There is a food waste recycling bin besides the return machine).
2️⃣ Return the utensils by placing it inside the lunchbox you borrowed.
3️⃣ Tap your Octopus card to start the return procedure.
4️⃣ Put the container at the center of the detection tunnel, and press OK.
5️⃣ Tap your Octopus again to collect the $20 deposit refund. It's that simple!
⭐ The used items will be collected every day and clean in centralised dish-washing facility to ensure high hygiene standard.
