What is a reuse economy?
In a reuse economy, products and packaging are designed from the beginning for reusability – to be recirculated in the form in which they were originally created and intended, and they are put into a system in which they can be used again and again.
What does a reuse system look like?
A reuse system is made up of the infrastructure, logistics, and technology for collection, washing and processing, and recirculation of durable, returnable products and packaging. Reuse service providers who offer some or all of these elements are part of a burgeoning industry.
Upstream’s primary goal is to achieve widespread, interoperable reuse infrastructure that makes the reuse economy possible. We do this by normalizing reuse, growing and supporting the reuse industry, and ensuring a supportive policy environment.
Why do we need a reuse economy?
The reuse economy suppresses extraction of materials and the endless production of single-use items. It all but eliminates landfilling and incineration. It keeps resources circulating locally and helps businesses achieve independence from volatile global supply chains. Reuse slows global climate change and builds climate resilience for communities that are already facing climate impacts. It creates jobs, increases community wealth, and it represents a just transition to a safe, healthy, participatory new industry.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, converting just 20% of single-use plastic packaging to reusable is a business opportunity worth $10 billion. New jobs, new businesses, new systems to bring our communities into the 21st Century: reuse is an economic driver for the country.
Reuse Learning Toolkits
Informational overviews of topics to help you learn the ins and outs of reuse, with a rich library of resources at the bottom of each page for a deeper dive into the topic.
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Reuse for Onsite Dining Library
Reuse Reports by Upstream
For other key reports regarding reuse, see our Research page.
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Reuse Wins
How to effectively use LCAs as a tool to leverage and scale reuse systems.