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

Samantha Sommer 7/15/21 Samantha Sommer 7/15/21

Serve It Safe Sets the Table for Reuse in Restaurants

During Covid, the food industry had to shift to stay alive, and that meant running all operations in a take-out and delivery economy. It was a tragic time for the food service operators. But I also saw a huge problem growing from all the waste from the billions of take-out single-use items that flooded our homes and communities. And I wanted to turn it into an opportunity.

Samantha Sommer 3/25/21 Samantha Sommer 3/25/21

You can help your favorite restaurant go disposable-free. Here’s how.

Handy insights, tips, and talking points for approaching food service businesses to help them save money and the planet at the same time.

Samantha Sommer 2/18/21 Samantha Sommer 2/18/21

A design sprint with business innovators

UPSTREAM, in partnership with Remark.eco, hosted a one day virtual design sprint in August 2020 using GV Sprint Methodology. Our goal was to develop a scalable, viable model for reusable systems for prepared food and beverage in the COVID era, helping businesses stay open and thriving while also protecting our health and the planet.

Samantha Sommer 8/12/20 Samantha Sommer 8/12/20

Samantha Sommer & the journey to become a Solutioneer

UPSTREAM's Director of Business Innovation on her career path toward reuse solutions.

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.