Reuse Case Study Explorer

The case for reuse is strong. Many dozens of case studies from pilots and projects around the world and across many sectors prove cost and environmental savings. In order to illustrate the potential for reuse in every documented scenario, Upstream has gathered this filterable database of reuse case studies. By using the filters, you can identify and/or download all case studies pertaining to the most common fields of inquiry. (Discover more sorting tags by clicking into each case study).

If you know of a case study you do not find here, please let us know and we will happily add it! If you would like further information about any of these case studies or would like to further explore how such data can inform your reuse operations, contact us.

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2023 | Vytal 10/9/25 2023 | Vytal 10/9/25

Keep Scotland Beautiful: Highland Cup Movement

Project size: 22 participating businesses
Dishwashing model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: Grant - Bring it Back Fund
Material: plastic
Return rate: 92%
Disposables Avoided: 1,051 (7 months)
Cost Savings: n/a

2023 | Panditops 10/2/25 2023 | Panditops 10/2/25

City of Tallinn: Youth Song & Dance Festival

Audience Size: 125,000
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: Municipal
Material: plastic
Return Rate: unknown
Disposables Avoided: 500,000
Cost Savings: unknown

2024 10/2/25 2024 10/2/25

City of Munich: Oktoberfest

Audience Size: 6,000,000
Dishwashing Model: Commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: Municipal Waste Management
Material: mixed
Return Rate: unknown
Disposables Avoided: 211 tons / year
Cost Savings: unknown

2018 10/2/25 2018 10/2/25

Manchester City Council: Reuse at Events

Audience Size: citywide
Dishwashing Model: Commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: Government Grant - C-Change
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: unknown
Disposables Avoided: 1,700,000 (2 years)
Cost Savings: 40%

2022 10/2/25 2022 10/2/25

City of Ghent: Ghent Festival

Audience Size: 1,500,000
Dishwashing Model: Commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: Government Grant - City of Ghent
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 89%
Disposables Avoided: 20 tons
Cost Savings: 12% year over year

2021 10/2/25 2021 10/2/25

City of Bremin: Breminale Fesitval

Venue Size: 220,000
Dishwashing Model: Mobile rental dishwashing unit & wash hub
Funding Source: Government Grant - Bremen Cultural Department
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: unknown
Disposables Avoided: 2.6 tons
Cost Savings: variable
Break-Even: variable

2023 | Meiko / Okocup 9/29/25 2023 | Meiko / Okocup 9/29/25

Green Sports Alliance: AEG & Levy

Venue Size: 3 venues (36,350 total capacity)
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: unknown
Disposables Avoided: 3,000,000 (annual)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown

2023 9/26/25 2023 9/26/25

Green Sports Alliance: Wimbledon Championships

Venue Size: 42,000
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: Unknown
Disposables Avoided: 500,000 (2 weeks)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown

2019 9/26/25 2019 9/26/25

Green Sports Alliance: Arsenal at Emirates Stadium

Venue Size: 60,704
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 80%
Disposables Avoided: 40,000 (per game)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown

2025 | re-universe 9/25/25 2025 | re-universe 9/25/25

Mastercard: Blenheim Palace

Venue Size: 300
Dishwashing Model: Commercial Dishwasher
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Disposables Avoided: 320,000 (annual)
Cost Savings: $50,000
Break-Even: 4 uses per cup

2014 9/24/25 2014 9/24/25

Grocery Manufacturers of Sweden: Svenska Retursystem

Funding Source: Government Grant - EU Environment Fund (LIFE)
Material: Plastic
Disposables Avoided: 10,400,000
Cost Savings: $22,000,000 (annual)