Dining To-Go Program

All students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate in the program for a one-time $5 fee. You can follow the steps listed above to get enrolled. Once you’re enrolled, the process will follow the steps outlined below.

1. Visit one of our dining halls and request a reusable take-out container from the cashier.
2. Open your Fill it Forward app and press the red QR code scanner button.
3. Scan the QR code on the reusable container.
4. Show the checkmark in your app to the cashier.
5. Once the cashier has confirmed your rental, you have 15 minutes to fill it up at your favorite station(s). Please note that the container lid must close before you exit the dining hall. To save space, you may take one piece of fruit to go that does not need to be placed within the container.
6. Once you have filled your container, exit with your meal and enjoy it wherever you like.
7. When you’re done with your meal, rinse your container and return it at the entrance of our dining halls.

By participating in the Fill it Forward program, you can: 

• Reduce single-use waste on campus: Every borrowed container keeps disposable packaging out of the landfill.
• Support UT’s Zero Waste goal: Help the University move closer to the goal of diverting 90% of campus waste from landfills.
• Be part of a Longhorn-led change: Join a campus-wide effort where your daily dining choices make a more sustainable Forty Acres.
• Track your environmental impact: Use the Fill it Forward app to see your personal contribution add up.
• Give back globally: Every scan unlocks a donation supporting clean water, nutrition and reforestation.

Once you have paid the initial one-time $5 fee, meals to go are the same price as dining in. Guests with a meal plan will be charged one meal swipe. Guests without a meal plan will be charged based on our pricing chart. Guests are allowed to take one meal on the go per day.

No, you must choose to dine in or take your meal to go. The Fill it Forward program is only for taking food out of the dining hall. If you choose to dine in, you cannot use your Fill it Forward container to take food to go.

To return your used container, please visit the Drop N’ Go box at the entrance of our dining halls. Using the Fill it Forward app, scan the QR code on the Drop N’ Go box and then scan the QR code on your reusable container. You will receive confirmation in your app that the item has been returned, and the credit will reloaded on your account. Once you return your container, you'll be able to check out another.

You will still follow the enrollment steps listed above to create your Fill it Forward account; however, you will not be charged the one-time $5 fee when you request your first container. After creating your Fill it Forward account, visit one of our dining halls and bring your Eco2Go container or Eco coin with you. You will turn these items into the cashier and receive credit in your Fill it Forward account to check out a new container. If you have not signed up in the app, you can purchase a compostable to-go container for $2.

For health and safety reasons, only properly cleaned and sanitized containers handled by University Housing and Dining staff can be used in our dining locations.

If you are not enrolled in the Fill it Forward program, you may choose to purchase a single-use compostable to-go container for $2 to enjoy your meal on the go.