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All the latest ideas and news from Upstream’s thought leaders and partners.

Vanessa Tiongson 11/21/22 Vanessa Tiongson 11/21/22

Upstream shares vision for New Reuse Economy

Today, Upstream released a new white paper: The New Reuse Economy: How reuse systems and services will revolutionize how we consume – which expands upon their vision to see 30% of consumable goods sold in reusable formats in the U.S. and Canada by 2030.

Vanessa Tiongson 9/1/22 Vanessa Tiongson 9/1/22

What does “indisposable” mean to you?

The Indisposable Podcast™ is celebrating its 100th episode this week! We turned to some members of the Upstream team to see what “indisposable” has come to mean to them.

Vanessa Tiongson 8/24/22 Vanessa Tiongson 8/24/22

Meet the Innovators of the Reuse Movement

Meet the finalists for The Reusies® 2022!

Vanessa Tiongson 9/30/21 Vanessa Tiongson 9/30/21

Winners of The Reusies™ Announced by Upstream and Closed Loop Partners

Last night four heroes of the reuse movement were announced as winners of the National Reuse Awards (aka The Reusies) among an audience of policymakers, investors, corporate and NGO leaders, and other influential attendees working towards a world without waste.

Vanessa Tiongson 9/7/21 Vanessa Tiongson 9/7/21

Experience Upstream and Closed Loop Partners’Inaugural National Reuse Awards

The Reusies: Virtual awards show for Reuse Movement in the U.S. celebrates heroes of a world without waste on September 30

Vanessa Tiongson 8/17/21 Vanessa Tiongson 8/17/21

Upstream and Closed Loop Partners Announce Nominees of Inaugural National Reuse Awards

Upstream today announced the nominees of the first-ever virtual National Reuse Awards (aka The Reusies), which will take place Thursday, September 30. Presented in partnership with circular economy-focused investment firm and innovation center, Closed Loop Partners, the awards show will be hosted by TV personality and science communicator Danni Washington and will celebrate the heroes of reuse.

Vanessa Tiongson 6/16/21 Vanessa Tiongson 6/16/21

840 billion single-use products could be replaced by new reuse service economy

Reuse Wins, a new report from Upstream, shows how a new reuse economy is emerging to replace the use of single-use products in food service. The key findings in the report draw from life-cycle studies that compare the environmental impacts of disposables versus reusables, and project the potential cost savings to business and local government from transitioning to a new reuse economy.

Vanessa Tiongson 4/20/21 Vanessa Tiongson 4/20/21

Popular Palo Alto cafe, Tootsie’s at the Stanford Barn, replaces disposable foodware with reusable containers in honor of Earth Day

Dishcraft Robotics, in collaboration with UPSTREAM, today announced the launch of a program to help reduce the increasing volume of waste produced by takeout foodware. Dubbed Serve It Safe, the program will help restaurants reduce waste by serving takeout meals in sanitized, sustainable, reusable containers.

Vanessa Tiongson 4/8/21 Vanessa Tiongson 4/8/21

Reopen with Reuse: A Livestream for World Health Day

As restaurants move toward reopening, many health experts are saying plastic food packaging doesn’t provide any better protection against COVID-19 - in fact, it presents significant risk to human health. Leading up to World Health Day on April 7, UPSTREAM held a media briefing with expert panelists Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP and Shanna H. Swan, PhD, MS.

Erin Covey-Smith 1/9/25 Erin Covey-Smith 1/9/25

Reflections on our first Grand Canyon site visit

Our team recently completed its first site visit to the Grand Canyon, where we are orchestrating an unprecedented shift to 100% reuse at all South Rim dining facilities.

Erin Covey-Smith 1/2/25 Erin Covey-Smith 1/2/25

Chart-Reuse case study: Facilitating TRUE Certification

A zero waste consulting firm wanted to monitor the environmental impacts of their clients. A Chart-Reuse case study.

Erin Covey-Smith 12/19/24 Erin Covey-Smith 12/19/24

A Year of Growth and Impact

Celebrating a year of growth and acceleration—and giving thanks to all who helped us get here.

Erin Covey-Smith 12/12/24 Erin Covey-Smith 12/12/24

Key takeaways from the Resource Recycling Conference

Upstream’s first appearance at this conference geared toward waste management professionals and government staff.

Erin Covey-Smith 12/4/24 Erin Covey-Smith 12/4/24

Expanding the conversation

Upstream's Cerise Bridges offers her “notes from the field” after attending a conference about Chicago’s new sustainability law.

Erin Covey-Smith 10/31/24 Erin Covey-Smith 10/31/24

US & Canada Reuse Incentives and Grants Tracker

Upstream's Reuse Funding Tracker monitors incentives and grants that could be used to support projects related to source reduction of disposable packaging and foodware.

Upstream 10/17/24 Upstream 10/17/24

Looking upstream: The linear economy & its social impacts

Reducing resource consumption and improving production processes can develop more resilient, equitable systems that prioritize long-term sustainability for the economy, people, and the environment.

Upstream 10/16/24 Upstream 10/16/24

Reuse & climate: action for governments to take

The importance of embedding reuse into climate action plans—and how measuring consumption-based emissions gives a far more accurate depiction of a municipality’s climate impact.

Upstream 10/10/24 Upstream 10/10/24

Reuse, climate solutions & a just transition

A conversation summary from the summer meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network.

Upstream 10/3/24 Upstream 10/3/24

What is the best way to message reuse?

Messaging strategies and talking points tailored to the four audience types that local advocates commonly target to promote reuse in food service.

Upstream 9/18/24 Upstream 9/18/24

The Conscious Cafeteria Report

A national pilot study on reusable foodware for healthier, more sustainable schools.

Upstream 8/22/24 Upstream 8/22/24

Stories of charting a path to reuse

Three case studies from early adopters of Chart-Reuse, showing how customized data helped them leverage their cause and make the case for reuse.

Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24 Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24

Chart-Reuse case study: Aluminum cans versus reusable cups

A reuse service provider wanted to show stadiums the difference in carbon emissions between reusable cups and aluminum cans. A Chart-Reuse case study.

Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24 Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24

Chart-Reuse case study: How do you convince high school administrators to switch to reuse?

Students from a California high school wanted help convincing school administrators to replace the disposable bowl used in the cafeteria with a reusable one. With a little purchasing data and Chart-Reuse, we were able to show the impact of switching to reuse.

Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24 Erin Covey-Smith 8/22/24

Chart-Reuse case study: Advancing Skip the Stuff legislation in Upstate New York

When city legislators required local data to consider Skip the Stuff legislation, a small community organization turned to Upstream for help. A Chart-Reuse case study.

Upstream 8/14/24 Upstream 8/14/24

Putting reuse into practice

Upstream’s vision for reaching the “tipping point” where reuse services become a widespread, cross-sectional, intraoperative industry and an everyday utility.