Client Success Story
Georgia State University’s Award-Winning Approach to Waste Reduction
Driving Waste Reduction Through Innovation and Partnership
Sustainability is a growing priority at Georgia State University (GSU), where campus leaders are committed to reducing waste and engaging students in sustainable living. While reusable containers had already been introduced throughout dining halls, the program needed a way to increase accountability and measure impact more effectively.
Although GSU had a strong system for distributing and sanitizing reusable containers, leaders saw an opportunity to improve tracking of when containers were checked out or returned. Without this visibility, it was difficult to prevent loss, keep students accountable, and demonstrate the environmental benefits of reuse. Suzanne Paltz, Senior Director at Georgia State University and a campus sustainability leader, sought a solution that could provide real-time data and encourage prompt returns by limiting students to one active container at a time.
These challenges underlined the need for a digital platform that could streamline operations, enhance accountability, and yield measurable results.
Introducing Fill it Forward
In 2024, GSU partnered with Fill it Forward to integrate its technology with the existing hardware on campus. This innovation created the missing link between distribution and data, enabling the university to strengthen both operations and engagement.
The program allowed GSU to:
- Maintain Operational Efficiency: The program enabled GSU to streamline operations and enhance the speed of service in their dining halls.
- Drive Student Adoption: Easily enroll students into the program using their GSU email domain.
- Measure Impact: The system tracked waste diverted, CO₂ saved, and sustainability metrics while unlocking donations to global giving projects.
- Manage Inventory: Administrators could view live data on containers in circulation, returned, lost, or retired.
- Increase Accountability: Custom settings limited students to one active container and provided return reminders, ensuring fairness and reducing loss.
- Achieve Cost Savings: Weekly savings of $ 800 or more on single-use packaging resulted in over $30,000 saved in the first year, with the program’s investment recouped in just three months.
“Sustainability and Philanthropy are important to us because we believe small actions can create meaningful change both locally and globally. At Georgia State University, we are proud to use Fill it Forward to help reduce single-use waste and promote conscious consumption on campus. Fill it Forward is a great solution because it engages our community through simple, everyday habits while supporting our sustainability goals. Every scan not only tracks the environmental impact of reusing containers, but also contributes to global giving initiatives that support clean water, education, and environmental projects. It’s a powerful way to inspire our students to care for both people and the planet.”
Suzanne Paltz,
Senior Director at Georgia State University
Impactful Results
GSU’s first year with Fill it Forward delivered outstanding results:
1. 67,000+ Tracked Uses – a clear sign of strong student adoption.
2. 98%+ Return Rate – containers stayed in circulation, minimizing loss and replacement costs.
3. National Recognition – GSU earned the Grand Prize for Waste Reduction at the NACUFS National Conference, cementing their leadership in campus sustainability.
National Recognition at the NACUFS Awards
GSU’s leadership in sustainability was recognized nationally when the university earned the Grand Prize for Waste Reduction at the NACUFS National Conference. This honor reflects the dedication of Georgia State University’s leadership, staff, and students in building a culture of reuse.
By pairing their existing infrastructure with Fill it Forward’s Borrow tools, GSU built a highly efficient, accountable reuse program that delivers real results. The reuse data captured empowered the university to celebrate measurable progress while inspiring students to make everyday choices that collectively create meaningful change.
Georgia State University’s partnership with Fill it Forward demonstrates how institutions can translate sustainability goals into impactful, operational solutions. By reducing waste, streamlining dining operations, and engaging students, GSU has shown what’s possible when innovation meets commitment. Their leadership sets a powerful example for other universities striving to make sustainability a lived reality on campus.
Explore our Borrow feature or connect with us to learn more.
