Just Salad has launched a new promotion to reward customers who choose sustainable packaging.
Throughout February, the New York-based salad chain is offering salads at the price of $8.99 for in-store purchases when customers use its branded reusable bowls. The MyBowl program allows customers to purchase a reusable bowl for $1. According to Just Salad’s founder and CEO, Nick Kenner, the goal of next month's promotion is to further incentivize reuse.
"We're excited to introduce this promotion to our reusable bowl customers as part of our ongoing efforts to incentivize everyday reuse," said Kenner. "As the first QSR to reward zero-waste behaviors since the founding of our brand and reusable bowl program in 2006, we're proud to continue offering circular solutions that are convenient and accessible to our guests nationwide."
To assess the benefits of the MyBowl program, Just Salad sought out a life-cycle analysis, a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product throughout its life. The salad chain worked with the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute to conduct that analysis and compare the reusable container to a disposable fiber bowl.
The analysis found that after two uses, the reusable bowl results in 41% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the fiber one. In addition, after 52 uses, the MyBowl results in 89% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
"This promotion is about rewarding people for choosing a less resource-intensive packaging option, while eating what they love," said Sandra Noonan, chief sustainability officer at Just Salad. "Our brand's mission is to make everyday health and sustainability possible, so offering a steep discount to repeat users of our reusable bowl is completely mission-aligned."
The chain has offered reusable options since it opened in 2006 but recently expanded its offerings with its BringBack program. This program allows customers to choose a reusable bowl when ordering through Just Salad’s mobile app. Customers can then bring the bowl back to a participating Just Salad location, where it will be cleaned and sanitized. The program launched as a pilot at select locations in 2021.
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