Haverford College Students Launching Eco-Friendly Takeout Service

HAVERFORD, PA — Takeout food is more popular now than ever as restaurants face regulations aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus. But even before, and eventually after, the coronavirus, takeout food was and will be extremely popular.

However, with takeout comes plastic, styrofoam, and other less-than-environmentally-friendly materials used to transport food.

That's where Haverford College rising senior Margaret Chen and recent graduate Sara Matsumura come in.

The pair is launching a reusable takeout box service called bentbox, which is in its pilot stage.

Chen and Matsumura developed the idea for bentbox while participating in the Haverford Innovation Program’s Summer Incubator.

Initially the pair sought to produce reusable takeout food boxes that customers could bring to restaurants and put their leftovers in to take home, but they shifted to the current bentbox model, in which restaurants provide the reusable boxes to customers.

Restaurants that opt in to use bentbox will be stocked with 30 to 40 boxes. They will then use the boxes for takeout orders and hand the box loaded with food to the customer.

Once the customer is done with the box, they drop it off at a designated receptacle. Then, the boxes will be collected and sanitized at Haverford College's Dining Services industrial washing facility.

So far, Chen and Matsumura are in talks with two local eateries and have planned to install bentbox drop off receptacles in Ardmore and at Haverford College.

The pair said similar ideas are already out there, such as GO Box in Portland. But what makes bentbox standout from other services is its reward program.

"The reward system incentivizes bringing containers back," Matsumura told Patch.

Once a customer deposits their bentbox into the drop off receptacle, they will have reward points credited to their bentbox account that can be used for future discounts.

Using bentbox will add a small $2 service fee on food orders.

Bentbox is also in the running for the B. PHL College Innovation Classic Finals in which a panel of judges chooses the best college startup in the Philadelphia region.

You can watch bentbox's video pitch for the competition below:

The public can vote for bentbox in the competition now though Sept. 15 online here.

With enough votes, the pair will move on to the final stage of the competition, in which five winners will be chosen. First place includes $2,500, 15 hours of various business mentoring, and more.

Despite being in their home states of California and Utah, Chen and Matsumura have been working remotely on bentbox's pilot program.

Chen plans to return to Haverford in the spring to fully implement the pilot program.

Bentbox's ultimate goal, Chen and Matsumura said, is to provide environmentally-conscious alternatives to take out food while supporting local businesses.

Ideally, the pair want to expand bentbox's reach to other college campuses and their hometowns, Chen said.

You can find more information on bentbox online here.