Caring for a space goes beyond keeping it clean and welcoming. It’s also about the small choices we make every day and the difference they can create over time. For us, we see sustainability is part of that care, and some of the most meaningful changes happen when we work together to make better choices possible.
That's where our collaboration with Friendlier comes in. The program brings reusable food containers into everyday campus routines, helping students, staff, and visitors reduce single-use packaging. It started with a pilot in 2024 at BCIT's Burnaby Campus and, in just one year, the initiative recorded over 8,000 reusable container uses, diverted 464 kg of plastic waste, prevented more than 1,000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions, and saved 64,000 litres of water.
Now, more than two years later, that first step is part of a much bigger story. BEST and Friendlier teams work side by side across 10 colleges, where our shared efforts have contributed to nearly one million reusable container uses. Behind that number are everyday moments: someone picking up lunch, choosing a reusable container, and returning it to be used again. Simple actions that, together, add up to real change.
None of this happens without the students, staff, and food service teams who choose reuse every day, or the Friendlier team who makes it simple. As the program grows to more campuses, we’re excited to keep building on what started at BCIT. A million uses is a milestone worth celebrating, but it’s also proof that small habits can scale when the right partners make them easy. We can’t wait to see where the next million takes us!