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 | r.World 10/6/25 2023 | r.World 10/6/25

ReThink Disposable: The Warfield

Venue Size: 2250
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 93%
Disposables Avoided: 204,800 (annual)
Cost Savings: $33,000 annual profit due to 3% sustainability fee
Break-Even: Unknown

2023 | TURN 10/6/25 2023 | TURN 10/6/25

ReThink Disposable: The Fillmore

Venue Size: 1199
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 89% (2 months)
Disposables Avoided: 16,400 (2 months) / 176,200 (annual)
Cost Savings: $1,400 (annual)
Break-Even: Unknown

2023 | TURN 10/6/25 2023 | TURN 10/6/25

ReThink Disposable: August Hall

Venue Size: 951
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 91% (3.5 months)
Disposables Avoided: 24,500 (3.5 months) / 232,000 (annual)
Cost Savings: $29,700 (annual)
Break-Even: Unknown

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

2023 10/2/25 2023 10/2/25

MA DEP: New Bedford Public Schools

Project Size: 12,500 student school district
Dishwashing Model: commercial dishwasher
Funding Source: Government grant - MA DEP SMRP
Material: plastic
Disposables Avoided: 1,627,980 (annual)
Cost Savings: unknown
Break-Even: unknown

2023 | TURN 9/29/25 2023 | TURN 9/29/25

Green Sports Alliance: Live Nation Entertainment

Venue Size: 45,820
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 80%
Disposables Avoided: 500,000 (2 weeks)
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

2023 | TURN 9/25/25 2023 | TURN 9/25/25

Green Sports Alliance: WM Phoenix Open

Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 85%
Disposables Avoided: 7,000 (5 days)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown

2023 | r.World 9/25/25 2023 | r.World 9/25/25

Green Sports Alliance: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Venue Size: 77,500
Dishwashing Model: Reuse Service Provider
Funding Source: None
Material: Plastic
Return Rate: 92%
Disposables Avoided: 30,000 (3 months)
Cost Savings: Unknown
Break-Even: Unknown