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:
EPISODE 172: Organizers in states where it is challenging to pass policy are still doing good work to reduce plastic waste and encourage reuse. Plastic Free MKE shares the story of their success.