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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Sector Key
Click an icon to see case studies by sector — and/or use the filters in the side bar.

Sector: Universities, Reuse Model: Open Loop, Location: Arizona, Sector: Takeout Dining 2025 | USEFULL Sector: Universities, Reuse Model: Open Loop, Location: Arizona, Sector: Takeout Dining 2025 | USEFULL

USEFULL: Arizona State University

Project Size: 28,000 student body
Dishwashing Model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: University funding — Green Student Fund
Material: metal
Return Rate: 99.74%
Disposables Avoided: 140,000 (annual)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown

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Sector: On-site Dining, Reuse Model: Closed Loop, Location: California, Reuse Model: Open Loop, Sector: Takeout Dining 2020 Sector: On-site Dining, Reuse Model: Closed Loop, Location: California, Reuse Model: Open Loop, Sector: Takeout Dining 2020

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

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Sector: Schools, Reuse Model: Closed Loop, Location: Connecticut 2024 Sector: Schools, Reuse Model: Closed Loop, Location: Connecticut 2024

ReThink Disposable: Middletown School District

Project Size: 4,500 student meals/day
Dishwashing Model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: Public & private grants and donations: CT Equipment Assistance grant, Plastic Free Restaurants, donors
Material: metal, plastic
Disposables Avoided: 3,760,000 (annual)
Cost Savings: $91,175
Break-Even: 3.8 months

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