#REUSE OTTAWA
Choose a reusable container for your next meal in Ottawa
How it Works
1. BORROW
Borrow a reusable container for your meal.
Our containers are free to borrow as long as they are returned within 14 days!
At check out you can provide your phone number, or show your Reuser ID on the Reusables app to borrow your container.
We don’t charge your card, and you won’t see any pending charges.
2. DOWNLOAD THE APP
Download the Reusables app on the Apple App Store or Google Play
If you haven’t already, download the Reusables app and get your Reuser ID to use at checkout, you can also track your borrowed containers and your impact on reducing single use plastics!
3. RETURN
Return the lightly rinsed container at any return bin. See below for a nearby return location.
You can borrow our reusable containers for up to 14 days, completely free. After that, you will be charged $10 for each unreturned container. Return your container after 14 days? No problem, the charge will be reversed!
4. EARN
For every container you return, you will be entered into a monthly draw!
Winners will be contacted through email or phone. For full contest rules visit the contest rules page.
Watch to see how Reuse Ottawa makes it easy to reduce plastic waste by choosing to reuse!
Reuse Ottawa Participating Locations
Borrow and return reusable containers at participating restaurants and grocery stores in your neighbourhood.
To start, you will be able to find reusable containers and return bins at the following locations:
- Farm boy, Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7
- Farm boy, 193 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K2P OS
- Metro, Southgate, 2515 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1V OY5
- Moulin de Provence KD, 30 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5L4
- Cacao 70, 53 William St #51, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z9
- Sharpfle Coffee & Bar, 111 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T4
- Hareg Cafe and Variety, 587 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3T4
- Wild Oat Cafe, 817 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V7
More locations coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to borrow a container
How can I borrow a container?
You can choose to borrow a reusable container at participating restaurants and grocery stores.
If it’s your first time borrowing a Reuse Ottawa container, you’ll be asked to provide your phone number when paying for your purchase. You’ll get notified by text to download the Reusables app to set up your Reuser ID.
When you have your Reuser ID you can easily borrow your next container, find
convenient return locations, and will be entered into monthly prize draws for each container you return!
Do I need to pay a deposit to borrow a container?
No, borrowing a container is free of charge. You can borrow our reusable containers for up to 14 days, completely free. After 14 days, you will be charged a refundable amount of $10 until the container is returned.
What is the QR code on my container for?
Each container is marked with a unique QR code. This QR code is scanned at check-out, to assign the container to you. This helps us keep track of everything—from when it’s borrowed and returned, and how many times each container has been used and the single use plastic waste saved!
Why do I have to provide my phone number at check-out to borrow a container?
Providing your phone number when paying for your meal allows us to:
- Assign the borrowed container to you, just like checking out a library book.
- Send you a link to download the Reusables App for free:
discover return locations, track your impact and more! - Send you text reminders and instructions to return the container.
Do I need to provide my phone number every time to borrow a container?
No, once you download the Reusables App (Available on the Apple Store & Google Play) and get your Reuser ID that’s all you’ll need to borrow a container.
Can I borrow an unlimited number of containers?
Yes, as long as they are returned within 14 days.
I’ve borrowed a container. Can I use it again for my next meal if it’s within the 14-day period?
No, the container must be returned to the store or to any other participating location to be properly sanitized before being reused again. Don’t worry, each participating location will have another container for you to borrow.
About the Reusables App
Why should I download the Reusables app?
By using your Reuser ID to borrow a container you’ll be able to:
- Track how many containers you’ve borrowed and how long you’ve had them.
- Locate nearby participating locations
- Measure the number of single-use containers you’ve helped avoid by participating in Reuse Ottawa.
- Get Rewarded! For every container you Reuse and Return, you will be entered into a monthly draw for rewards and prizes. Winners will be announced monthly, follow @reusottawa on Instagram to learn more!
Why do I have to enter my credit card information on the Reusables app?
We need your card to check out our container to you, just like a library card.
We don’t charge your card and you won’t see any pending charges.
You can borrow our reusable containers for up to 14 days, completely free. After that, you will be charged $10 for each unreturned container. Return your container after 14 days? No problem, your charge will be reversed!
You can return our containers to any participating Reuse Ottawa location.
Your card data is kept safe through our payment processor, Stripe.
How to return a container
How long do I have to return a container?
You can borrow our reusable containers for up to 14 days, completely free. After 14 days, you will be charged a refundable amount of $10 until the container is returned.
Why do I have to return my container?
By returning the containers, you ensure that the containers are circulating efficiently and can be reused again and again. Each container has the power to eliminate thousands of single use plastics, but they can only be put to work if they are returned!
How and where can I return my container?
Return the empty container to a Reuse Ottawa return bin at any participating location within a 14-day period. You can find return locations on the Reusables App or here.
Do I have to wash the container before returning it?
No, but please empty any leftover food before returning the container to facilitate the sanitization process.
What happens if I forget to return my container before 14 days?
You will be charged a temporary refundable amount of $10 until the container is returned. If you have three or more unreturned containers you won’t be able to borrow any more containers until they are returned.
How are the containers cleaned and sanitized?
Reuse Ottawa’s sanitization partner, Gate Gourmet, follows strict cleaning and sanitization protocols to ensure that all containers are thoroughly cleaned before being redistributed to participating locations.
About Reuse Ottawa
What are the benefits of participating in Reuse Ottawa as a consumer?
Choosing reusable options is the best way to eliminate unnecessary single-use packaging waste that ends up in landfills or pollutes our environment.
How does Reuse Ottawa work for participating businesses?
Participating locations are provided a suite of reusable containers they can use for various food items. They will be able to offer these containers to their customers at no cost and will have access to promotional material, container tracking, washing, and distribution services provided as part of the pilot.
My favorite restaurant doesn’t offer reusable options, what can I do?
You can contact us at [email protected] to let us know which restaurant you’d like to see participate in Reuse Ottawa. We also have a contact form on reuseottawa.ca if they want to reach us directly.
Who is behind Reuse Ottawa?
This pilot is a unique collaborative effort between Circular Innovation Council, an environmental not-for-profit organization, and major Canadian grocery retailers—Metro, Sobeys, Farm Boy, and Walmart Canada—with the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the City of Ottawa.
