We are a leading change agency for reuse. 

We’re driving change toward a robust and enduring reuse economy by normalizing reuse, growing and supporting the reuse industry, and ensuring a supportive policy environment.

Featured
A reuse conversation pulse-check
A reuse conversation pulse-check

Themes and throughlines in the conversations occurring at packaging and sustainability conferences that provide a snapshot of where reuse is gaining traction, and where it is hitting snags.

Reuse Features

hikers standing outside a food truck at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Reuse Project

Upstream is leading a multi-year, multi-stakeholder, first-in-the-nation project at the Grand Canyon National Park which will result in the largest reuse system for dine-in and take-out in the U.S. at the South Rim’s food and beverage locations.

image: Xanterra

Featured
Reuse in Food Codes
Reuse in Food Codes

EPISODE 184: Experts and advocates share their insights into reuse and refill in state and federal food codes, plus strategies to update your own state’s food code to be more reuse/refill friendly.

Reuse Economy

Designing a product from the beginning for maximum quality, durability, longevity, material health, and recyclability and getting that product into a system where it can be used over and over again in its original form.

What we do

We facilitate reuse networks

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We ensure a supportive policy environment

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We normalize reuse

Silhouette of a disposable coffee cup with a lid and a paper sleeve featuring a circular logo with a whale design.

We grow & support the reuse industry

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Reuse for Onsite Dining Library

A comprehensive database of resources you can leverage to pass reuse for onsite dining policies in your community.

A restaurant counter with a stack of white plates, a point-of-sale tablet, a small white device, and two containers filled with cutlery. In the background, a chef is working in the kitchen.

Pass Policy

Making a smart switch: why compostables & bioplastics aren’t the answer

They’re still toxic, still single-use, AND more expensive than traditional single-use. .

biocompostable plastic bag full of apples

Switch to Reuse

Embracing reuse in packaging EPR programs

A playbook for best-in-class Producer Responsibility Organizations for packaging EPR programs.

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Reuse Research

Join a reuse coalition

There are over 25 reuse coalitions and groups across the US & Canada. Join one in your area, or learn how to bring together your community around reuse initiatives.

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Act Locally

  • Support

    Contribute to an indisposable future

    Donate
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  • Join leaders and entrepreneurs developing policy and infrastructure

    Join Now
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Follow us on social

A truly sustainable future isn’t just low-waste - it’s just, period. 🤝⚖️ As the reuse movement grows, we’re asking: how do we ensure it grows equitably? A just transition means making sure reuse systems are not only better for our
What does refill really mean in a reuse economy? 🤔♻️ Refillable packaging is a powerful tool for reducing waste. But these models often rely on individual behavior change, which can be hard to scale. At Upstream, we’re focused on systems tha
This #WorldRefillDay, we want to celebrate the organizations, policymakers, and changemakers designing the infrastructure that makes reuse work — not just for the few, but for everyone. From returnable coffee cup programs to standardized takeo