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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ReThink Disposable: Manila Eatery
Capacity: 35
Dishwashing model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: none
Material: plastic, ceramic
Disposables Avoided: 54,507 (annual)
Cost Savings: $4,693 (annual net)
Break-Even: 1.3 months
ReThink Disposable: Jean’s Cafe
Capacity: 30
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: unknown
Material: ceramic, metal, plastic
Disposables Avoided: 32,898 (annual)
Cost Savings: $2,063 (annual net)
Break-Even: 1 month
ReThink Disposable: Koreana Rittenhouse Square
Capacity: 25
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: unknown
Material: ceramic, metal
Disposables Avoided: 90,669 (annual)
Cost Savings: $3,109 (annual net)
Break-Even: 3.8 months
ReThink Disposable: House of Bread
Capacity: 250
Dishwashing model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: donated dishware
Material: metal, ceramic, plastic
Disposables Avoided: 123,500 (annual)
Cost Savings: $1,643 (annual net)
Break-Even: unknown
ReThink Disposable: El Metate
Capacity: 40
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink (dishwasher purchased after reporting period)
Funding Source: None
Material: metal, ceramic
Disposables Avoided: 493,711 (annual)
Cost Savings: $8,957 (annual net)
Break-Even: 11.3 months
Turn the Tide on Plastic: Deja Blue
Capacity: 100
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: None
Material: metal, glass, ceramic
Disposables Avoided: 67,221 (annual)
Cost Savings: $16,991 (annual net)
Break-Even: 2 months
ReThink Disposable: Red’s Donuts
Capacity: 20
Dishwashing model: Commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: None
Material: metal, glass, ceramic
Disposables Avoided: 201,851 (annual)
Cost Savings: $12,239 (annual net)
ReThink Disposable: Hogar Latino Panaderia y Restaurant
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: None
Material: stainless steel, acrylic, ceramic
Disposables Avoided: 26,493 (annual)
Cost Savings: $3120 (annual net)
Break-Even: 1.6 months
ReThink Disposable: Emil’s Burger & Breakfast
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: None
Material: glass, stainless steel, stoneware, porcelain
Disposables Avoided: 34,380 (annual)
Cost Savings: $2433 (annual net)
Break-Even: 2.6 months
ReThink Disposable: Powderface
Dishwashing model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: None
Material: ceramic, stainless steel
Disposables Avoided: 77,289 (annual)
Cost Savings: $3011 (annual net)
Break-Even: 1.7 months
Reuse Denver: Que Rico!
Capacity: 50
Dishwashing Model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: Government Grant (Reuse Denver)
Material: Ceramic, Metal
Loss Rate: 20%
Disposables Avoided: 9,547 (annual)
Cost Savings: $649.48 (net / annual)
Break-Even: 8.43 months
Reuse Denver: Los Molinos
Capacity: 150
Dishwashing Model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: Government Grant (Reuse Denver)
Material: Metal, Ceramic, Plastic
Loss Rate: 20%
Disposables Avoided: 157,200 (annual)
Cost Savings: $4,304.05 (net / annual)
Break-Even: 1.08 months
Reuse Denver: Hamburger Mary’s
Capacity: 250
Dishwashing Model: 3-compartment sink & under-counter dishwasher
Funding Source: Government Grant (Reuse Denver)
Material: Metal, Glass, Ceramic
Loss Rate: 20%
Disposables Avoided: 160,400 (annual)
Cost Savings: $7,291.76 (net / annual)
Break-Even: .9 months
Reuse Denver: MyKings Ice Cream
Capacity: 150
Dishwashing Model: 3-compartment sink
Funding Source: Government Grant (Reuse Denver)
Material: Glass & Ceramic
Loss Rate: 20%
Disposables Avoided: 22,500 (annual)
Cost Savings: -$5,813 (net / annual)
Break-Even: 1.74 months (cost recoup of reusable purchases - net negative cost savings due to hiring an employee for dishwashing)
Reuse Denver: TeaLee’s Tea House and Bookstore
Capacity: 50
Dishwashing Model: 3-compartment sink & under-counter dish machine
Funding Source: Government Grant (Reuse Denver)
Material: Glass & Ceramic
Loss Rate: 20%
Disposables Avoided: 1260 (annual)
Cost Savings: $7.38 (net / annual)
Break-Even: 5.81 months
Additional Resources
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![stadium]()
3 Chart-Reuse Case Studies
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![Two people are holding reusable cups of beer at an event, with a staff member wearing a black shirt and a green staff badge in the background.]()
Reuse Wins at Events
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![People working on wireframes and sketches for a website or app, with colorful sticky notes, markers, and a laptop on a white table.]()
A design sprint with business innovators
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![A bowl of pasta salad with green peas, parsley, lemon wedges, and a dollop of ricotta cheese, with a fork on the side, a glass of water, a stack of salad containers, and a red and white checkered napkin.]()
Serve it Safe
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![Dining area in a restaurant with wooden tables set with white napkins, forks, and empty glasses, large windows showing city buildings outside.]()
5 impact profiles of restaurants that switched to reuse
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![Person holding a metal tray with a meal including strawberries, green peas, blueberries with yogurt, a slice of bread, and fried food, with a metal cup and spoon on the tray.]()
The Conscious Cafeteria Report
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![dinosaur fossils in a natural history museum]()
Chart-Reuse Case Study: Reuse at a Cultural Attraction
