Act Locally

Want to activate change in your community? Upstream provides the resources and support you need to make the case that reuse wins for people, planet, and businesses’ bottom line.


Community Action Features

Join the Reuse Solutions Network

If you are working on reuse in your community and want to connect with others across the US & Canada to troubleshoot, learn, and share resources, the RSN is for you.


Did you know?

Approximately 530 billion disposable cups are used globally each year. Stacked end to end, these cups would go to the moon and back 85 times.

Community Action Tools

Reuse for onsite dining library

A comprehensive guide with tips, tricks and considerations in engaging local foodservice businesses to encourage them to switch to reuse.

The Conscious Cafeteria Report

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


Join a community group or coalition

There are over 25 groups across the US & Canada—and growing!

Reuse is a climate solution

Rethinking the supply chain for packaging must be a climate goal to put us on track to achieve net-zero emissions.

Join the

Reuse Solutions Network

Local leaders developing policy and infrastructure.

Network Benefits 

The reuse movement connected

The Reuse Solutions Network is a movement of activists, NGOs, business innovators, and government officials creating a world where reuse and refill are standard practice, with an emphasis of transitioning away from our current “one-way throw-away” economic model. The network supports leaders working across the U.S. and Canada to:   

  • Join a learning and collaboration space that fosters insight into reuse policy and infrastructure solutions 

  • Share resources, tools, and best practices on source reduction and reuse/refill concepts

  • Gather in dialogue with like-minded reuse leaders to support new initiatives

  • Catalyze and pass policies that promote reuse and reduce single-use products and packaging

  • Develop reuse infrastructure and financial opportunities for reuse initiatives

  • Accelerate the growth of innovative reuse businesses

90-minute meetings are held every other month and focus on a specific topic, featuring guest speakers and presentations, followed by discussion/Q&A.


Who you’ll meet

An international network of local governments and elected officials

Ideate and accelerate reuse initiatives with representatives from businesses and organizations including: