Pass Policy

From model policies to playbooks and toolkits, to trainings – all the resources you need to support reuse advocacy in your community.

Did you know? Reuse is a climate solution

infographic of clamshell food containers and a stack of plates

Over their life cycle, reusable products, food serviceware and packaging have lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions compared to disposable alternatives.

Policy Features

Fact Sheet: Defining “reuse” in EPR & DRS

Featured
Pioneering reuse in Banff
Pioneering reuse in Banff

Episode 155: The town of Banff was among the first in Canada to pass a comprehensive single-use item reduction bylaw. Hear from Environmental Coordinator Carla Bitz about the grassroots efforts that spurred the journey to passing this policy, plus successes and challenges along the way.

Featured
Incentivizing return in reuse systems
Incentivizing return in reuse systems

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.

Fact sheet for policymakers: Support reuse for onsite dining policy

Policy Tools

State legislation to address the waste crisis must focus on transitioning to a circular economy that prioritizes reuse.

Principles for reuse in EPR & DRS

phone charger reuse design

How design standards & guidelines can help reuse scale

An Indisposable Live® discussion around the importance of setting standards to move reuse beyond pilots.

Policy ladder to a circular economy

A step-by-step summary of policy tools to see us to a New Reuse Economy.

Policy Testimony

Upstream submits letters of support for reuse-related bills that support our policy principles.

 Join the

Reuse Solutions Network

Reuse leaders shaping innovative policy and community infrastructure

Member Benefits

Formerly known as the National Reuse Network, the Reuse Solutions Network (RSN) is a community of NGOs, entrepreneurs, local organizations, community leaders, and governments working to catalyze reuse and create a world where reuse and refill are standard practice. The network supports leaders working across the U.S. and Canada to:  

  • Learn and collaborate in a 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

  • For government leaders & employees: in combination with the RSN, Upstream also convenes 2-3 separate, annual dedicated sessions to focus on policy solutions and challenges—the Government Reuse Forum.

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 and source reduction with representatives from organizations like: