Upstream Announces Finalists of The Reusies® 2023

Press Release
Written By Guest User

Making Throw Away Go Away

“The Oscars of the Reuse Movement” returns with a live broadcast from Circularity 23 in Seattle hosted by Kristy Drutman, and featuring appearances by Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali and other reuse luminaries

NEW YORK April 18, 2023 - Upstream, a non-profit sparking innovative solutions to plastic pollution, today announced the finalists of the third annual Reuse Awards, The Reusies® 2023. The Reusies is a groundbreaking awards program honoring changemakers developing a better way than throw-away, advancing systemic change and co-creating a world where we can get what we need and want without all the waste. The Reusies received nominations and submissions from over 200 innovative startups, environmental activists and community leaders in North America that are continuing to grow the reuse movement.  

Having begun as a virtual event amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s program will be shown in person for the first time ever during GreenBiz’s Circularity 23 conference in Seattle on June 7, in addition to streaming online. The program will be hosted by Kristy Drutman founder, Brown Girl Green & Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board. Award presenters will include winners from The Reusies 2022 as well as thought leader and environmental justice advocate, Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali. The event is supported by circular economy investment firm and innovation center, Closed Loop Partners.

“We are so thrilled to present The Reusies in person this year among the changemakers and innovators of the New Reuse Economy at Circularity,” said Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Upstream. “The Reusies began as a way of uplifting the emerging reuse sector during the challenges of the pandemic, and this year we’re shining a light on the incredible progress the reuse movement has made – thanks to cooperation and collaboration among business leaders, NGOs, activists, and policymakers.”

Honors to be awarded during the show include Most innovative Reuse Company, Corporate Initiative of the Year, Activist of the Year, and Community Action of the Year.

The top finalists – selected by committees composed of The Reusies partners, experts and thought leaders across the industry – are all great examples of organizations and individuals who are advancing reuse from within their local communities to cutting-edge brands embracing a better way than throwaway. 

The finalists for Most Innovative Reuse Company are: 

  • Food & Beverage: Boomerang, DeliverZero, and Re:Dish

  • Consumer Packaged Goods: Generation Conscious, Returnity, and Revolusation

  • Fashion & Apparel: Alternew, Bleckmann (The Renewal Workshop), and Treet 

The finalists for the remaining three categories are:

  • Community Action of the Year in Building Reuse: Reuse Minnesota, Reuse Seattle and StopWaste Reuse & Repair Network

  • Community Action of the Year in Policy: Town of Banff, Keep Truckee Green, and Reusable San Mateo County

  • Activist of the Year: Daniel Vukelich, Jennifer Navarra, and Stephanie Compton

Honorable mentions go to Free Flow Wines and Friendlier in the category of Most Innovative, Food & Beverage; Bound in the category of Most Innovative, Consumer Packaged Goods; and the City of Edmonton and Reusable NYC in the category of Community Action, Policy.

Nominees for Corporate Initiative of the Year are still being collected and reviewed, and will be announced in the coming weeks. 

"We are delighted to provide a fitting venue for The Reusies' first-ever in-person showing,” said Jon Smieja, VP of Circularity at GreenBiz. “With the growing recognition of reuse as a vital component of the circular economy, we are pleased to partner with Upstream as they honor the companies, individuals, and communities dedicated to making reuse a practical reality."

“Reuse plays a critical role in addressing the global waste crisis and advancing a circular economy,” said Kate Daly, Managing Director and Head of the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, the Supporting Sponsor of The Reusies. “We are proud to support The Reusies this year, to highlight the innovators, leaders and communities working to accelerate accessible, convenient and affordable reuse solutions needed for a waste-free future.”

Similar to last year, award winners will be selected by a combined panel of judges and public voting. Judges include:

The event will be broadcast on June 7, 2023 at 9 AM PDT / 12 PM EDT, and will include profiles on the finalists, award presentations and special guest appearances.  A special panel discussion of reuse leaders across different industries will follow the awards show.  

The show will stream online publicly at www.TheReusies.org, LinkedIn, and other social platforms. All are encouraged to RSVP to ensure they receive the streaming link and email reminder.  

VIP packages, which include special perks like “Executive Producer” recognition, a virtual meet & greet with winners and/or finalists, prime seating at the Circularity watch party and more, are available from $250 - $3,000.

Category-exclusive sponsorship, advertising opportunities and brand integrations are also available. For more information, email TheReusies@upstreamsolutions.org. For press inquiries, contact press@ustreamsolutions.org; social: #TheReusies @Upstream_org. 

In addition to Supporting Sponsor Closed Loop Partners, promotional partners of The Reusies 2023 include:

  • apparel impact institute

  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation 

  • GreenBiz Group

  • McDonough Innovation

  • Oceanic Global

  • Ocean Plastic Leadership Network

  • Players for the Planet

  • Sustainable Ocean Alliance

  • World Economic Forum/Global Plastic Action Partnership

  • World Wildlife Fund

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