Climate, Plastics & Reuse

Immediate and unprecedented action from every country will be necessary in order to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels.

However, there are many political, economic, and behavioral challenges that will need to be overcome.

Today’s “throw-away” economy has significantly contributed to the 90% increase in global carbon emissions since 1970. Food systems generate 34% of greenhouse gases caused by human activities. Transport, packaging, retail, processing, consumption, and end-of-life disposal make up 29% of the emissions created by food systems - while food packaging alone accounts for 5.4% of all food system emissions.

The data is clear: Reuse must play a key role in addressing climate change. View Upstream’s Climate, Plastics, and Reuse Toolkit below to learn more about how reuse can be a solution to our climate & plastics problems, and what organizations, governments, and individuals can do to be a part of the movement.