Switch to Reuse

Special Projects

Learn more about the key initiatives we are undertaking to help grow and support the reuse industry.

dinosaur fossils on display at a natural history museum

Features: Switch to Reuse

Reuse at a Cultural Attraction: New Chart-Reuse® Case Study

Chart-Reuse helped a metropolitan cultural attraction figure out how much they would save by switching to reusable foodware for their concessions. The results are in: reusable foodware saves money, emissions, and water.

Featured
Upstream Announces RFI for Reusable Foodware for Grand Canyon National Park Project
Upstream Announces RFI for Reusable Foodware for Grand Canyon National Park Project

Request for Information (RFI) for reusable foodware for Grand Canyon National Park reuse project.

Image: NPS, M. Quinn

Featured
The Pathway to Reuse in Retail
The Pathway to Reuse in Retail

EPISODE 185: Recent reports lay the groundwork for bringing reuse to the retail setting—and now that information is being turned into action.

image: Reposit

Our Special Projects

google map with pins

Business & Foodservice Tools

Wash hub map

The washing and supply chain logistics for returnable packaging are a burgeoning industry in North America. This map shows the expanse of reuse service infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada, which is growing every day.

Concert crowd with hands raised, some forming heart shapes, on a stage with bright lights and performers in the background.

Chart-Reuse by Upstream® is the industry’s first foodware reuse analytics platform.

A small green plant growing on a stack of coins in a forest setting with mist and trees in the background.

Reuse systems create safe, green, local jobs and keep resources circulating locally while building community wealth.

bioplastic bag

Why compostables & bioplastics aren’t the answer

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

Ways to Get Involved

  • Reuse Solutions Network

    For entrepreneurs & reuse service providers: Join the RSN

    A community of NGOs, entrepreneurs, local organizations, community leaders, and governments working to catalyze reuse. The RSN meets regularly on Zoom and provides a resource and networking platform via Basecamp.

    Learn More
  • refillable stainless steel lotion bottles

    For CPG brands & companies: Join our dedicated mailing list

    Recieve a quarterly email including updates on Upstream’s work in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space, our latest policy insights, and opportunities to learn and engage, all specifically catered to business and brand leaders who want to make an impact.

    Sign Up
An infographic illustrating the climate impact of disposable versus reusable coffee cups. The disposable cups show increasing carbon emissions at each lifecycle stage, from 100,075 to 119,502 MT CO2e. The reusable cups are depicted with decreasing emissions over time. Text highlights that single-use products have a high climate impact, while reusable products lighten the impact even when accounting for dishwashing.

Why Switch?

Reuse can cut carbon emissions by 79% across the value chain.