Whereas, on November 17, 2025, Lorenz Mammen grad and the Cornell Residential Sustainability Leaders (RSLs) presented the first version of the Cup Return Project proposal to the Student Assembly Dining Services Committee,
Whereas, on February 2, 2026, Mr. Mammen and the RSLs presented the committee with an updated version of the Cup Return Project proposal,
Whereas, the Return Cup Project provides a plan to transition to reusable cups at Cornell Dining retail locations (Libe Café, Novick’s, etc.), similar to the Fill it Forward program at dining halls,
Whereas, Cornell’s RSLs have been in discussion with several potential providers of reusable cups,
Whereas, Cornell’s RSLs have identified Vytal as the most promising potential provider of reusable cups,
Whereas, Cornell has the infrastructure in place for such a deposit and return program with the Fill it Forward program and the GET Mobile App,
Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly calls on Cornell University to become the first university in the United States to implement a full reusable cup program at on-campus retail locations,
Be it further resolved, that Cornell Dining enter into discussions with potential providers, as outlined in the Return Cup project proposal,
Be it finally resolved, that Cornell begin the process of implementing a reusable cup program with a pilot program at a limited number of locations.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ezra Galperin ‘27
Chair of the Dining Services Committee, Student Assembly
34 Riley Smith ‘28
35 Chair of the Sustainability Working Group, Dining Services Committee, Student Assembly
36 Lorenz Mammen grad
37 Member, Dining Services Committee, Student Assembly
38 Lydia Blum ‘27
39 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Representative, Student Assembly
