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

Miriam Gordon 5/5/22 Miriam Gordon 5/5/22

Organizing for Reuse: Local Changemakers in Action

When it comes to changing something as entrenched as the throw-away culture, the real changemakers are local community members and their elected officials – people who are passionate about saving the planet and ready to innovate new approaches.

Miriam Gordon 2/25/22 Miriam Gordon 2/25/22

A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Reuse Coalition

After launching a few reuse coalitions ourselves (and supporting others to do the same), we offer the following best practices to help you think about what might work best in your community.

Miriam Gordon 1/6/22 Miriam Gordon 1/6/22

Protecting democracy to protect the planet: taking action in the wake of January 6

At Upstream, we recognize that a lack of free, fair elections and democratic processes threatens our ability to move forward on every environmental issue of concern. One year ago, on January 6, we saw too many Americans who were willing to overthrow democracy to gain power and control. Racism is clearly linked to the anti-environment agenda, and it silences the voices of those who are most impacted by harm to our planet. Join us in standing up for voting rights.

Miriam Gordon 4/15/21 Miriam Gordon 4/15/21

Why Reusable Takeout Packaging is the Future

At UPSTREAM, we are tracking the growth of reuse in cities all across the country. It’s possible to borrow a reusable cup or container in a variety of deposit or lending programs. Even groceries and consumer products are being offered in returnable/refillable containers thanks to emerging reuse companies. The growth in reusable and refillable return systems gives me hope that the throw-away culture is changing.

Miriam Gordon 2/24/21 Miriam Gordon 2/24/21

Why we need to “Break Free From Plastic” AND embrace reuse

Because the Break Free From Plastic Act does not currently focus on reusables, we organized a working group to develop recommendations for building reusable/refillable requirements into the Act and have been communicating these ideas to the authors of the legislation.

Miriam Gordon 3/24/20 Miriam Gordon 3/24/20

Plastics industry exploits coronavirus to prop up single-use plastic

Upstream's response to the Plastic Industry Association's push for more single-use plastics.

Miriam Gordon 3/3/20 Miriam Gordon 3/3/20

Report Finds Plastics and Food Packaging Pose Global Health Threat, Nearly 200 Groups Call for Urgent Action

Nearly 200 environmental and public health organizations released an urgent Call to Action in response to a peer-reviewed consensus statement signed by 33 world-renowned scientists. It warns that chemicals used in food packaging pose numerous threats to human health.

Miriam Gordon 4/10/19 Miriam Gordon 4/10/19

Bay Area local governments working together on solutions to throw-away

Bay Area Local Governments meet to develop solutions to throw-away.

Miriam Gordon 2/27/19 Miriam Gordon 2/27/19

Plastic Exposed and the UNWRAPPED conference

Learn about Plastic Exposed and the UNWRAPPED Conference in June, 2019.

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.