Act Locally
Want to activate change in your community? Upstream provides the resources and support you need to make the case that reuse wins for people, planet, and businesses’ bottom line.
Community Action Features
US & Canada Reuse Incentives and Grants Tracker
Upstream's Reuse Funding Tracker is dedicated to monitoring incentives and grants offered by municipalities, states/provinces, federal governments and private sources that could be used to support projects related to source reduction of disposable packaging and foodware.
Did you know?
Just 21% of residential recyclables are successfully recycled.
Community Action Tools
Reuse for onsite dining library
A comprehensive guide with tips, tricks and considerations in engaging local foodservice businesses to encourage them to switch to reuse.
Best Practices for Government Reuse Grant Programs
Best practices for government agencies interested in launching reuse-focused grant programs.
Join a community group or coalition
There are over 25 groups across the US & Canada—and growing!
Reuse is a climate solution
Rethinking the supply chain for packaging must be a climate goal to put us on track to achieve net-zero emissions.
Join the
Reuse Solutions Network
Local leaders developing policy and infrastructure.
The reuse movement connected
The Reuse Solutions Network is a movement of activists, NGOs, business innovators, and government officials creating a world where reuse and refill are standard practice, with an emphasis of transitioning away from our current “one-way throw-away” economic model. The network supports leaders working across the U.S. and Canada to:
Join a learning and collaboration space that fosters insight into reuse policy and infrastructure solutions
Share resources, tools, and best practices on source reduction and reuse/refill concepts
Gather in dialogue with like-minded reuse leaders to support new initiatives
Catalyze and pass policies that promote reuse and reduce single-use products and packaging
Develop reuse infrastructure and financial opportunities for reuse initiatives
Accelerate the growth of innovative reuse businesses
90-minute meetings are held regularly throughout the year and focus on a specific topic, featuring guest speakers and presentations, followed by discussion/Q&A.
Who you’ll meet
An international network of local governments and elected officials
Ideate and accelerate reuse initiatives with representatives from businesses and organizations including:
Friends of Upstream share the Library of Things concept, a community resource where useful items can be borrowed just like books that are in circulation for years.
image: Baltimore Tool Library