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

Upstream 6/27/24 Upstream 6/27/24

Debunking myths about consumer demand & more

Key findings from a new report on scaling reuse, plus more from Upstream’s Reuse Solutions Network.

Upstream 6/6/24 Upstream 6/6/24

Takeaways from Circularity 24

Key insights into the state of the circular economy and the future of reuse.

Upstream 5/23/24 Upstream 5/23/24

Announcing winners of The Reusies® 2024

The Most Innovative Reuse Company awards were presented at GreenBiz’s Circularity 24 on May 23, 2024.

Upstream 5/16/24 Upstream 5/16/24

What else makes an effective LCA for reuse?

How to effectively use LCAs as a tool to leverage and scale reuse systems.

Upstream 5/9/24 Upstream 5/9/24

What makes an effective LCA for reuse?

To make a strong case for reuse and to build optimal systems, we need to use a systems approach in our LCAs.

Upstream 4/25/24 Upstream 4/25/24

Big brands can—and must—be changemakers

We did not “ask” for our packaging to be disposable. Why should companies wait for consumers to “ask” for reusable products and packaging?

Upstream 4/18/24 Upstream 4/18/24

Do consumers prefer reuse?

A significant body of evidence indicates that given the choice, people would choose reusables. Here’s a resource roundup—and another side of the coin.

Upstream 4/4/24 Upstream 4/4/24

Upstream Announces Community & Activist Winners, Most Innovative Finalists of The Reusies® 2024

Learn more about The Reusies 2024.

Upstream 3/28/24 Upstream 3/28/24

Should the reuse movement continue to pursue cup fees?

A recap of the Reuse Solutions Network Q1 meeting on lessons learned from cup fee repeals.

Upstream 3/22/24 Upstream 3/22/24

Reuse works. Now, how do we fund it?

A new report dives deep into the mechanics and potential of Outcomes-Based Waste Prevention (OBWP) to help solve plastic pollution.

Upstream 3/14/24 Upstream 3/14/24

Incentivizing return in reuse systems

How do you get customers to return to a system of reusable containers when they have been trained for years to throw them away when they are finished? Reuse businesses around the world are trying to answer this question.

Macy Zander 3/7/24 Macy Zander 3/7/24

Tips to advocate for reuse for onsite dining in your community

Reusable LA co-leaders Alison Waliszewski and Emily Parker share insights into advocating as a community for reuse for onsite dining and other policy wins.

Erin Covey-Smith 2/28/24 Erin Covey-Smith 2/28/24

Defining “reuse” in the policy context

Definitions in policymaking matter, especially when it comes to defining reusable packaging. Here is what Upstream recommends.

Erin Covey-Smith 2/22/24 Erin Covey-Smith 2/22/24

Back to Basics: Defining “Reuse” for Policymakers

A summary and resources from the Feb 15, 2024 livestream on the importance of defining “reuse” in the policy context.

Erin Covey-Smith 2/13/24 Erin Covey-Smith 2/13/24

Why a reuse economy is a just economy

At its root, the reuse movement is a social and environmental justice movement.

Erin Covey-Smith 2/7/24 Erin Covey-Smith 2/7/24

Baking reuse into EPR & DRS policy

How do we get producers affected by EPR packaging laws to focus on reuse? By baking funding, requirements, and incentives for reuse directly into the law. Here’s how it’s done.

Erin Covey-Smith 2/1/24 Erin Covey-Smith 2/1/24

Introducing the Reuse for Onsite Dining Library

Whether you are a restaurant or school curious to increase your use of reusable foodware, a government department crafting a reuse for onsite dining policy, or a community group eager to organize around less trash, this library is a one-stop resource shop.

Erin Covey-Smith 1/23/24 Erin Covey-Smith 1/23/24

The Reusies is back and better than ever

With The Reusies in its 4th year, we’ve been reflecting and listening to our communities and networks on ways to improve the program.

Erin Covey-Smith 1/4/24 Erin Covey-Smith 1/4/24

A reuse policy roundup for 2023

2023 was a banner year for reuse policy. Join us in celebrating the highlights!

Upstream 1/1/24 Upstream 1/1/24

Bringing Reuse for On–Site Dining into Reach

Trash pollutes city streets, waterways, parks, and natural ecosystems. It’s clear by now that disposables don’t make any sense. But really – they literally don’t make dollars or cents. Learn why this is and how Upstream is helping transform the food service sector.

Guest User 12/20/23 Guest User 12/20/23

A Year of Transition at Upstream: Thanks to those who helped us wrap up our second decade!

Join us in celebrating this memorable year with our short end-of-year sizzle reel of 2023 highlights. We couldn’t have done it without our community of supporters.

Guest User 12/13/23 Guest User 12/13/23

Ship joyfully with reusable mailers

Reusable mailer options for shipping your holiday gifts this season.

Guest User 12/6/23 Guest User 12/6/23

Partnership & policy to drive reuse in foodservice

Reuse is the future of foodservice—partnerships and policy will get us there.

Guest User 11/29/23 Guest User 11/29/23

Q&A with reuse innovator Huskee

We sit down with Upstream partner Huskee to learn about their business model and trends they are seeing in the reuse movement.

Guest User 11/15/23 Guest User 11/15/23

3 Lessons from Launching & Running a Reuse Non-Profit

John Charles Meyer, E.D. of Plastic Free Restaurants, shares insights into running a reuse-focused nonprofit.

Guest User 10/18/23 Guest User 10/18/23

"Lessons" from Starbucks Reusable Cups Pilot

We don’t need consumer behavior change, we need systems change, initiated by leading brands.

Guest User 10/12/23 Guest User 10/12/23

5 Takeaways from the draft plastics treaty

Upstream’s take on the recently published Zero Draft of the international treaty to reduce plastic pollution.

Guest User 9/27/23 Guest User 9/27/23

Making throw-away go away

Upstream's Macy Zander introduces new solutioneers to what they can do to help the single-use waste crisis, today.

Guest User 8/14/23 Guest User 8/14/23

Upstream appoints new CEO

Upstream, a non-profit sparking innovative solutions to plastic pollution, announced today that Crystal Dreisbach has been appointed as the new CEO of the organization.

Guest User 7/27/23 Guest User 7/27/23

Reuse wins for the climate, too

Conversation about the climate crisis tends to center on vehicles and the power grid. But the one-way throw-away economy is also a major factor. Here’s how you can help.

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