How to switch to Reuse

Resources

Information, solutions, and case studies to help your business make the switch from single-use to reuse.

Wash hub map for the U.S. & Canada

Reuse services – the washing and supply chain logistics for returnable packaging – are a burgeoning industry in North America. This map and the region list below show the expanse of reuse service infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada.

Google map with pins

Toolkits & Resource Directories

Informational overviews of topics relevant to foodservice businesses and those looking to switch to reuse, with a rich library of resources on each page for a deeper dive into the topic.

Case Studies

Summaries of pilots, tests, and launches that document of how various foodservice businesses made the switch to reuse.

Switch to reuse: articles

Upstream insights & news
US & Canada Reuse Incentives and Grants Tracker
Community Action, Policy, Business
US & Canada Reuse Incentives and Grants Tracker
Community Action, Policy, Business

Upstream's Reuse Funding Tracker monitors incentives and grants that could be used to support projects related to source reduction of disposable packaging and foodware.

Community Action, Policy, Business
The Conscious Cafeteria Report
Business, Community Action, Reuse Research
The Conscious Cafeteria Report
Business, Community Action, Reuse Research

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

Business, Community Action, Reuse Research
Chart-Reuse case study: Aluminum cans versus reusable cups
Business, Myth Busting
Chart-Reuse case study: Aluminum cans versus reusable cups
Business, Myth Busting

A reuse service provider wanted to show stadiums the difference in carbon emissions between reusable cups and aluminum cans. A Chart-Reuse case study.

Business, Myth Busting
Putting reuse into practice
Business, Overview
Putting reuse into practice
Business, Overview

Upstream’s vision for reaching the “tipping point” where reuse services become a widespread, cross-sectional, intraoperative industry and an everyday utility.

Business, Overview
Upstream Launches Bold Initiative to Eliminate Single-use Waste with Grant from the National Park Foundation
Press Release, Overview, Business
Upstream Launches Bold Initiative to Eliminate Single-use Waste with Grant from the National Park Foundation
Press Release, Overview, Business

The plan will make the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park the first to eliminate nearly all single-use foodware.

Press Release, Overview, Business
Upstream’s Strategic Vision for Change
Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy
Upstream’s Strategic Vision for Change
Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy

How Upstream is working to take reuse to the next level.

Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy
A Myth Busting Cheat Sheet
Business, Community Action, Myth Busting
A Myth Busting Cheat Sheet
Business, Community Action, Myth Busting

Counter-arguments to the top four myths about why reuse is not a viable solution.

Business, Community Action, Myth Busting
Transforming & Eliminating Waste
Press Release, Business, Overview
Transforming & Eliminating Waste
Press Release, Business, Overview

Upstream & PR3 announce major prize to advance reuse.

Press Release, Business, Overview
Debunking myths about consumer demand & more
Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting
Debunking myths about consumer demand & more
Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting

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

Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting
Takeaways from Circularity 24
Business, Policy, Climate
Takeaways from Circularity 24
Business, Policy, Climate

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

Business, Policy, Climate
Announcing winners of The Reusies® 2024
Business, Press Release, Reusies
Announcing winners of The Reusies® 2024
Business, Press Release, Reusies

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

Business, Press Release, Reusies
What else makes an effective LCA for reuse?
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research
What else makes an effective LCA for reuse?
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research

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

Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research
What makes an effective LCA for reuse?
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research
What makes an effective LCA for reuse?
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research

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

Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101, Policy, Reuse Research
Big brands can—and must—be changemakers
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101
Big brands can—and must—be changemakers
Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101

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

Business, Myth Busting, Reuse 101
Do consumers prefer reuse?
Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting
Do consumers prefer reuse?
Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting

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.

Business, Policy, Community Action, Myth Busting
Upstream Announces Community & Activist Winners, Most Innovative Finalists of The Reusies® 2024
Business, Policy, Community Action, Press Release
Upstream Announces Community & Activist Winners, Most Innovative Finalists of The Reusies® 2024
Business, Policy, Community Action, Press Release

Learn more about The Reusies 2024.

Business, Policy, Community Action, Press Release
Should the reuse movement continue to pursue cup fees?
Business, Policy, Community Action
Should the reuse movement continue to pursue cup fees?
Business, Policy, Community Action

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

Business, Policy, Community Action
Reuse works. Now, how do we fund it?
Business, Reuse Research, Myth Busting
Reuse works. Now, how do we fund it?
Business, Reuse Research, Myth Busting

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

Business, Reuse Research, Myth Busting
Incentivizing return in reuse systems
Policy, Community Action, Business, Reuse 101, Myth Busting
Incentivizing return in reuse systems
Policy, Community Action, Business, Reuse 101, Myth Busting

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.

Policy, Community Action, Business, Reuse 101, Myth Busting
Why a reuse economy is a just economy
Equity & Inclusion, Reuse 101, Community Action, Business, Climate
Why a reuse economy is a just economy
Equity & Inclusion, Reuse 101, Community Action, Business, Climate

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

Equity & Inclusion, Reuse 101, Community Action, Business, Climate
Introducing the Reuse for Onsite Dining Library
Policy, Community Action, Business
Introducing the Reuse for Onsite Dining Library
Policy, Community Action, Business

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.

Policy, Community Action, Business
The Reusies is back and better than ever
Policy, Community Action, Business, Reusies
The Reusies is back and better than ever
Policy, Community Action, Business, Reusies

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

Policy, Community Action, Business, Reusies
Bringing Reuse for On–Site Dining into Reach
Business, Policy
Bringing Reuse for On–Site Dining into Reach
Business, Policy

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.

Business, Policy
Partnership & policy to drive reuse in foodservice
Business, Policy
Partnership & policy to drive reuse in foodservice
Business, Policy

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

Business, Policy
Q&A with reuse innovator Huskee
Business
Q&A with reuse innovator Huskee
Business

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

Business
3 Lessons from Launching & Running a Reuse Non-Profit
Business, Community Action
3 Lessons from Launching & Running a Reuse Non-Profit
Business, Community Action

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

Business, Community Action
"Lessons" from Starbucks Reusable Cups Pilot
Business, Reuse 101, Overview
"Lessons" from Starbucks Reusable Cups Pilot
Business, Reuse 101, Overview

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

Business, Reuse 101, Overview
A report back from Circularity 23
Community Action, Business
A report back from Circularity 23
Community Action, Business

Upstream staff share key takeaways from GreenBiz’s Circularity 23 conference. The bottom line: change is happening fast, and the time to act is now.

Community Action, Business
Upstream Announces Winners of The Reusies® 2023
Press Release, Community Action, Business, Policy
Upstream Announces Winners of The Reusies® 2023
Press Release, Community Action, Business, Policy

Praising leaders in eliminating single-use products, The Reusies winners were announced at GreenBiz’s Circularity 23 on June 7, 2023

Press Release, Community Action, Business, Policy
Introducing Chart-Reuse™ by Upstream
Business, Press Release
Introducing Chart-Reuse™ by Upstream
Business, Press Release

Seattle, WA - Environmental nonprofit Upstream today at GreenBiz Circularity launched an innovative new product: Chart-Reuse™, the industry’s first foodware reuse analytics platform.

Business, Press Release

Switch to reuse: podcasts

The Indisposable Podcast
The Conscious Cafeteria Project
Business, Community Action
The Conscious Cafeteria Project
Business, Community Action

EPISODE 174: Diving into the findings of a national pilot study of reusable foodware for healthier, more sustainable schools.

Business, Community Action
The Plastic Free Pharmacy
Business
The Plastic Free Pharmacy
Business

EPISODE 173: Cabinet Health is on a mission to eliminate plastic in pharmaceuticals, starting with a mail-in refill model.

Business
Connecting dots for circularity
Community Action, Business
Connecting dots for circularity
Community Action, Business

Episode 170: Happen Ventures leverages logistics and partnerships to repurpose products and divert landfill waste.

Community Action, Business
Making repair mainstream (again)
Business
Making repair mainstream (again)
Business

Episode 167: Leslie Bateman and Emily Watts, co-founders of shoe and leather repair company Coblrshop, share their journey in innovating an age-old craft.

Business
The keys to a reuse revolution
Policy, Community Action, Reuse 101
The keys to a reuse revolution
Policy, Community Action, Reuse 101

Episode 166: Christiana Dujardin, lead analyst for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s groundbreaking report, Unlocking A Reuse Revolution - Scaling Returnable Packaging, shares insights & takeaways on designing a returnable packaging system that can compete across the board with single-use.

Policy, Community Action, Reuse 101
The 2.0 of bottled H2O
Business, Equity & Inclusion
The 2.0 of bottled H2O
Business, Equity & Inclusion

Episode 162: How reuse startup Kadeya is on track to eliminate the single-use beverage problem with their game-changing hydration technology stations.

Business, Equity & Inclusion
The “secret sauce” to scaling circular systems
Policy, Business, Myth Busting
The “secret sauce” to scaling circular systems
Policy, Business, Myth Busting

Episode 161: What are the magic ingredients to scale reuse? Learn insights from the nonprofit, reuse business, policymaking, government funding, and corporate perspectives.

Policy, Business, Myth Busting
From cafeteria to community: students launch reuse
Reuse 101, Community Action, Policy, Schools
From cafeteria to community: students launch reuse
Reuse 101, Community Action, Policy, Schools

Episode 160: Inspiring Berkeley High School students Sophie Horvath and Joshua Swift-Rawal share their journey in advocating for reuse at their school and beyond.

Reuse 101, Community Action, Policy, Schools
A reuse playbook for stadiums
Business - Events, Business, Reuse 101
A reuse playbook for stadiums
Business - Events, Business, Reuse 101

Episode 159: Join the Green Sports Alliance, Portland Trail Blazers, and Bold Reuse to learn about winning off-the-field with reuse at stadium events.

Business - Events, Business, Reuse 101
Championing DEI & Emerging Leaders
Community Action, Business, Equity & Inclusion
Championing DEI & Emerging Leaders
Community Action, Business, Equity & Inclusion

Episode 157: Bryan Lewis, head of GreenBiz’s Emerging Leaders program, discusses empowering young sustainability professionals, a just transition to a circular economy, and what he is doing to ensure DEI doesn’t DIE.

Community Action, Business, Equity & Inclusion
The Latest Science on Plastic Alternatives
Community Action, Business, Policy
The Latest Science on Plastic Alternatives
Community Action, Business, Policy

Episode 152: How compostable are bioplastics really? The answer: it depends. Learn more from Dr Lisa Erdle of the 5 Gyres Institute.

Community Action, Business, Policy
Urban planning for reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy
Urban planning for reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy

Episode 151: Perpetual is working to bring reuse to everyone by collaboratively designing reuse systems in mid-side cities across America.

Community Action, Business, Policy
Envisioning a Just Transition toward Reuse, #2
Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion
Envisioning a Just Transition toward Reuse, #2
Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion

Episode 150: More on navigating the challenges and opportunities in moving toward a new reuse economy built on principles of equity and justice for all.

Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion
Envisioning a Just Transition toward Reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion
Envisioning a Just Transition toward Reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion

Episode 149: A candid discussion on an equitable vision of a new reuse economy and aligning on how we talk about a Just Transition toward non-toxic reuse - a Reuse Solutions Network recast.

Community Action, Business, Policy, Equity & Inclusion
“Living & learning” with Plastic Free Restaurants
Community Action, Business, Policy, Schools
“Living & learning” with Plastic Free Restaurants
Community Action, Business, Policy, Schools

Episode 148: Executive Director of Plastic Free Restaurants John Charles Meyer returns to update us on progress made and lessons learned in funding foodservice establishments to switch to reuse.

Community Action, Business, Policy, Schools
A city-wide case study for reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy, Myth Busting
A city-wide case study for reuse
Community Action, Business, Policy, Myth Busting

Episode 147: Reuse Seattle collaborators McKenna Morrigan and Moji Igun share the inspiring story of the coalition’s growing success since we first chatted with them.

Community Action, Business, Policy, Myth Busting
“3 Rs” of Fashion: Repair, Renew, Resell
Business
“3 Rs” of Fashion: Repair, Renew, Resell
Business

Episode 144: Tune in to learn about the opportunities and challenges in building and scaling circularity in the apparel industry with The Reusies 2023 Winners, The Renewal Workshop at Bleckmann.

Business
Re:Dish built it, here they come
Business, Myth Busting
Re:Dish built it, here they come
Business, Myth Busting

Episode 142: Talking shop with Caroline Vanderlip of Re:Dish, a Reusies 2023 Most Innovative Company Winner and pioneer in scalable reuse infrastructure.

Business, Myth Busting
Zero waste that keeps on giving
Business, Community Action
Zero waste that keeps on giving
Business, Community Action

Episode 136: Learn about the innovative, student-centered business model of Generation Conscious - one of the winning Most Innovative companies at The Reusies 2023.

Business, Community Action
Scaling reuse in food service
Business
Scaling reuse in food service
Business

Episode 135: Lara Seng, Senior Sustainable Living Manager at Sodexo, discusses the challenges and opportunities in bringing reuse to scale—with pilots, partners, data, and now, Chart-Reuse™.

Business
Working Together to Build the New Reuse Economy
Community Action, Business, Policy
Working Together to Build the New Reuse Economy
Community Action, Business, Policy

Episode 134: Recorded at Circularity 23 in June, an engaging panel discussion on the successes, challenges, opportunities and collaboration needed to enact the vision of a new reuse world.

Community Action, Business, Policy
What sticks is what works
Business
What sticks is what works
Business

Episode 131: Tim Wolters, co-founder and CEO of CrowdSolve, a platform for climate entrepreneurs, discusses using technology to identify at scale the most impactful solutions and then accelerating change through human-to-human collaboration.

Business
Indisposable Fabrics
Business, Reuse 101
Indisposable Fabrics
Business, Reuse 101

Episode 129: A deep dive into sustainability considerations for textiles and apparel, with Reusies judge Lewis Perkins of the Apparel Impact Institute.

Business, Reuse 101
Community Powered Entrepreneurship
Business
Community Powered Entrepreneurship
Business

Episode 127: Camila Vega, Solutions Portfolio Manager at Sustainable Ocean Alliance, offers a window into SOA’s approach to ending ocean plastic pollution through funding solutions-focused startups.

Business
Reuse, reimagine, redistribute
Business, Reuse 101
Reuse, reimagine, redistribute
Business, Reuse 101

Episode 126: Anita Schwartz, VP at WSP-USA, joins us to discuss how practices like redistribution and reuse can aid in a just transition to a circular economy.

Business, Reuse 101
Helping consumers embrace reuse
Business
Helping consumers embrace reuse
Business

Episode 124: Thom Almeida, Platform Curator, Future of Consumption at the World Economic Forum, discusses his team’s focus on making reuse accessible for the consumer.

Business
Coming full circle with GreenBiz
Business
Coming full circle with GreenBiz
Business

Episode 123: GreenBiz’s VP of Circularity Jon Smieja and Circular Economy Manager Kori Goldberg join us to discuss what’s in store for this year’s Circularity conference—including The Reusies 2023!— and share their outlooks on the bright future of reuse.

Business
The business case for catalyzing reuse
Business, Myth Busting
The business case for catalyzing reuse
Business, Myth Busting

Episode 121: Emily Tipaldo of the U.S. Plastics Pact and Lauren Sweeney of DeliverZero discuss the collaborative opportunities to scale reuse made possible by the Pact’s Reuse Catalyst.

Business, Myth Busting
Packaging a sustainable future
Business
Packaging a sustainable future
Business

Episode 119: Atlantic Packaging’s Wes Carter & Caroline James discuss their push for EPR and other sustainability initiatives—and reveal the company’s roots in the fight for racial justice in Jim Crow-Era South.

Business
The successes & setbacks of a reuse entrepreneur
Business
The successes & setbacks of a reuse entrepreneur
Business

Episode 118: Reuse entrepreneur Daniel Velez shares valuable lessons learned from launching – and ultimately closing – a craft beer delivery service.

Business

Switch to reuse: livestreams

Indisposable Live
The "secret sauce" to scaling circular systems
Reuse 101, EPR, Business, Policy
The "secret sauce" to scaling circular systems
Reuse 101, EPR, Business, Policy

A special episode of Indisposable Live (live!) held at Circularity 24 in Chicago.

Caroline Vanderlip of Re:Dish, Elizabeth Balkan of reLoop, Jennie Romer of the EPA, and Nicole Cerroni from L'Oreal discuss what they see as the single most promising way to advance reuse—moderated by Upstream CEO, Crystal Dreisbach.

This episode of Indisposable Live (live!) first aired at Circularity 24 in Chicago on May 23, 2024.

Reuse 101, EPR, Business, Policy
Indisposable Live® (Live!): Working Together to Build the New Reuse Economy
Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy
Indisposable Live® (Live!): Working Together to Build the New Reuse Economy
Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy

A candid discussion addressing successes, challenges, opportunities and calls for more cooperation across sectors to make the New Reuse Economy a reality.

Held as part of The Reusies 2023 at Circularity 23 in Seattle, WA on June 7—this candid panel discussion addressed some of the big successes, challenges, opportunities and calls for more cooperation across sectors to make a vision of the New Reuse Economy a reality.

Business, Community Action, Overview, Policy
Envisioning The New Reuse Economy
Reuse 101, Business, Policy
Envisioning The New Reuse Economy
Reuse 101, Business, Policy

Upstream's new Chief Strategy Officer, Priscilla Johnson, hosts a lively discussion with several reuse thought leaders on the ideation, experimentation and strategies needed to create a shift to a circular economy.

Upstream's new Chief Strategy Officer, Priscilla Johnson, hosts a lively discussion with several reuse thought leaders on the ideation, experimentation and strategies needed to create a shift to a circular economy.

Reuse 101, Business, Policy
How Design Standards & Guidelines Can Help Reuse Scale
Business, Policy
How Design Standards & Guidelines Can Help Reuse Scale
Business, Policy

What are the guidelines, standards, and infrastructure required for an effective reuse economy? Join Upstream’s Chief Solutioneer/CEO, Matt Prindiville as he moderates an engaging and informative discussion with three special guests – Amy Larkin and Claudette Juska from PR3 and Olga Kachook from GreenBlue - who are putting the puzzle pieces together , “setting the standard for reuse” and helping to enable businesses to thrive in the growing circular economy.

What are the guidelines, standards, and infrastructure required for an effective reuse economy? Join Upstream’s Chief Solutioneer/CEO, Matt Prindiville as he moderates an engaging and informative discussion with three special guests – Amy Larkin and Claudette Juska from PR3 and Olga Kachook from GreenBlue - who are putting the puzzle pieces together , “setting the standard for reuse” and helping to enable businesses to thrive in the growing circular economy.

Business, Policy
Reuse Wins at Events
Business
Reuse Wins at Events
Business

As fans return to sporting arenas and music lovers celebrate the return of concerts and festivals, sustainability issues at events and venues are coming back into focus – specifically, what to do about the ever-present disposable plastic cup.

As fans return to sporting arenas and music lovers celebrate the return of concerts and festivals, sustainability issues at events and venues are coming back into focus – specifically, what to do about the ever-present disposable plastic cup. Upstream’s Chief Solutioneer/CEO, Matt Prindiville hosted special guests who are advancing “a better way than throw-away” and innovating solutions around single-use at large scale events including Roger McClendon from Green Sports Alliance, Michael Martin from r.Cup/r.Ware, and Ryan Everton from TURN.

Business
Reuse To-Go
Business
Reuse To-Go
Business

Check out what viewer Edward Wrenn from Pittsburgh called “the best hour and a half I have ever spent!” as Upstream CEO Matt Prindiville interviews reuse entrepreneurs Keiko Niccolini (r.Cup/r.Ware), Lauren Sweeney (DeliverZero), and Paul Liotsakis (Sparkl). Learn how our guests started their businesses, their plans for the future, how they’re adapting – and even thriving – during the pandemic, and how you can help bring their services to your own community

Check out what viewer Edward Wrenn from Pittsburgh called “the best hour and a half I have ever spent!” as Upstream CEO Matt Prindiville interviews reuse entrepreneurs Keiko Niccolini (r.Cup/r.Ware), Lauren Sweeney (DeliverZero), and Paul Liotsakis (Sparkl). Learn how our guests started their businesses, their plans for the future, how they’re adapting – and even thriving – during the pandemic, and how you can help bring their services to your own community.

Business