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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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
ReThink Disposable: Skip the Stuff Case Study
Project Size: 20 restaurants
Disposables Avoided: 1,578,769 (annual)
Single-use Reduction: 94%
ReThink Disposable: Ballast Coffee
Capacity: 30
Dishwashing model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: none
Material: metal, glass
Return Rate: 75%
Disposables Avoided: 12,369 (annual)
Cost Savings: $1,263 (annual net)
Break-Even: 4.3 months
Reusable Seacoast: Seacoast NH Reusable Takeout Container Pilot
Pilot Size: 4 restaurants
Dishwashing Model: (In-house dishwashing)
Funding Source: Public Grants & Private Donors
Material: Metal, Silicone
Return Rate: 100%
Disposables Avoided: 1,000 (8 months)
NextGen Consortium: Petaluma Cup Project
Pilot Size: 30 restaurants
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: Closed Loop Partners
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 51%
Disposables Avoided: 220,000 (3 months)
Additional Resources