Media & Events
Upcoming Events
Join us for livestreams and in-person speaking events around the US and Canada.
The Reusies®, created by Upstream, champions the heroes making reuse a reality for people across the US & Canada by uplifting their stories and providing them with meaningful support. It’s an awards show and so much more: a platform to highlight solutions, an inspirational spark to encourage innovation and collaboration, and a resource to help the reuse movement grow.
Reuse packaging and systems: 2024 year in review
The C40 Waste To Resources Network invites you to an end-of-year webinar on the state of reuse packaging and systems and what is in store for 2025.
Join Upstream reuse experts, CEO Crystal Dreisbach, and Policy Director Sydney Harris, for this 'year in review' session to see how the movement away from single use plastics and packaging towards more sustainable and circular reuse systems is evolving—and how cities can facilitate the adoption and success of reuse systems.
Global Treaty Dialogues: INC-5 Digest
Held by our friends at OPLN, this 90-minute session will be dedicated to discussing the reflections and key insights from INC-5 in Busan, Korea (November 2024). Engage with member states and global stakeholders as we prepare for INC-6 of the UN Plastics Treaty.
Reuse Portal Strategic Dialogue on Reuse Infrastructure
This event, hosted by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate, will explore essential financing models, policy frameworks, and inspiring case studies in reusable packaging infrastructure. Join experts from Upstream. the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNEP, Starbucks, Closed Loop Partners, and more as we discuss collaborative pathways to a sustainable, circular economy.
Resource Recycling Conference
Featuring Upstream’s Crystal Dreisbach and Macy Zander, speaking to how reuse can fit into the conversation around recycling.
MRRA Meeting & Fall Workshop
Join Maine Resource Recovery Association for their 2024 Annual Meeting.
Sessions and Topics include:
Keynote Speaker: Sydney Harris from Upstream
DEP Update: EPR and Universal Waste
Food Waste Solutions here in Maine
SafetyWorks! Training: Fire Extinguisher/Emergency Action Plan.
Grant Session: Hear some Ideas and about the process to apply for a grant
SafetyWorks! Training: Supervisory Safety.
A virtual tour of Recology in San Francisco.
Reuse Solutions Network Meeting
A quarterly meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network, Upstream’s convening of reuse leaders from the US and Canada.
Green Sports Alliance Playbook Webinar: REUSE
Join the Green Sports Alliance and Upstream for a deep dive into the GSA’s Reuse Playbook, a resource for sports and entertainment venues considering transitioning to reusable serviceware. Upstream provided guidance on the playbook, and CEO Crystal Dreisbach will be joined by Brittany Saulsbury, Moda Center / Portland Trail Blazers and Nelson Ventress, AEG, LA Live in this webinar geared toward all audiences interested in reuse. They will provide an overview of transitioning to reuse, plus case studies to guide decision-making by outlining cost considerations and environmental benefits.
Creating Zero-Waste Events
Can concerts and festivals truly achieve zero-waste? Join the Music Sustainability Alliance online in "The Green Room" for a discussion with innovators leading the way—including Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach.
National Zero Waste Conference
The National Zero Waste Conference is the annual two-day virtual educational and networking event organized by Zero Waste USA. Featuring Upstream’s Macy Zander moderating a panel on Challenging Plastics Preemption Laws on Day 2.
Reuse Solutions Network Meeting
A quarterly meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network, Upstream’s convening of reuse leaders from the US and Canada.
GreenFin 24
GreenFin 24 is GreenBiz’s premier event for sustainable finance professionals harnessing the power of capital markets to realize a net zero economy. Form valuable connections with leading finance, investment and sustainability professionals, get up to speed on emerging trends, and discover the latest products and services to accelerate your organization's sustainability strategy.
Green Sports Alliance Summit
The 14th Annual Green Sports Alliance Summit returns as the largest and most influential gathering for the sports and entertainment community to unite around environmental and social sustainability. These industries are uniquely positioned to make a large-scale impact on pressing environmental and social issues, by decreasing the carbon footprint of many of our largest public spaces and mobilizing communities to take action. Faster, Further, Together: 2024 Green Sports Alliance Summit seeks to highlight best practices for enhancing performance and fostering a dialogue with stakeholders and fans about environmental stewardship and social justice.
Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach will be a featured speaker.
Overcoming Barriers to Circularity
2024 Summit for Recycling: Overcoming Barriers to Circularity
The 2024 Summit for Recycling will be focused on how to overcome barriers to foster an equitable, feasible, and sustainable circular economy. We will combine informational sessions with workshops, tours, and networking opportunities to facilitate the sharing of best practices, innovations, and plans for the future.
Upstream’s Reuse Network Manager Melissa Jung will be speaking about reuse opportunities for local governments.
The Reusies 2024
Celebrate the heroes making reuse a reality at The Reusies 2024, showcased at GreenBiz’s Circularity 24. Register before March 8 with the 20% discount code C24UPSTM to save over $1,200 off the final rate.
Circularity 24
As the leading convening of professionals building the circular economy, GreenBiz’s Circularity 24 offers thought-provoking keynotes, actionable breakouts, a solutions-oriented expo and unparalleled networking opportunities. Join the growing community of visionaries and practitioners to move beyond incremental action, catalyze systems change and accelerate the circular economy. And don’t miss The Reusies 2024 on May 23 at 3:30pm!
Upstream followers get 20% off with code C24UPSTM.
OPLN Global Treaty Dialogues - INC-4 Digest
Join Ocean Plastic Leadership Network for a 90-minute session dedicated to discussing the reflections and key insights from INC-4 in Ottawa, Canada (April 2024). Engage with member states and global stakeholders as we prepare for INC-5 of the UN Plastics Treaty in Busan, Korea (November 2024).
Heroes of Reuse: activating change in local communities
While creating a regenerative, circular and equitable economy requires the efforts of many stakeholders, community leaders across the country (who are often volunteering hours of their time) can play a major role in driving change, bringing people together and inspiring action.
In a special edition of Indisposable Live, we highlight this year’s three Reusies Activist of the Year winners – people who are co-creating a world without waste and advancing reuse in their communities.
Join Maria Gastelumendi, Founder of The Rising Loafer Cafe in Lafayette, CA, Kendra Schneider, owner of Takeout Takeout in Lansing, MI, and Alisa Shargorodsky, Director of ECHO Systems in Philadelphia, PA, for an engaging discussion on what it takes to activate change locally and help advance reuse.
From creating a more sustainable dining experience, to devising a reuse-based takeout system, to building networks of reuse practitioners, each will share their challenges and experiences working to make reuse the norm where they live and beyond.
This program will run for one hour with an additional, optional 30 minute “speed networking” event at the end. This event is free, open to the public, and will be recorded and shared with all registrants (whether you can join us live or not). Space is limited so please register today.
INC-4
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), is scheduled to take place from 23 to 29 April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. The session will be preceded by regional consultations on 21 April 2024.
The advance copy of the Revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (UNEP/PP/INC.4/3), prepared by the INC Secretariat, is now available here. The final document will be made available in all six UN languages on the INC-4 website six weeks before the meeting.
Reuse Solutions Network Meeting
A quarterly meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network, Upstream’s convening of reuse leaders from the US and Canada.
REMADE Circular Economy Tech Summit & Conference
REMADE is pleased to invite you to attend the 2024 REMADE Circular Economy Technology Summit & Conference, which will take place Wednesday and Thursday, April 10-11, 2024, at the National Academy for Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C.
Those interested in accelerating the transition to a Circular Economy, including industry innovators, academic researchers, university students, and renowned experts from across the country and around the world, are strongly encouraged to attend. Members of the media are also welcome.
Zero Waste Forum
Join Race to Zero Waste and partners for the Zero Waste Forum & Annual International Dialogue. This event promises four engaging days of zero waste collaboration, education, and fun, while building on conversations from the International Day of Zero Waste.
The lineup includes the Zero Waste USA Intro to Zero Waste course, featuring esteemed international speakers affiliated with the Zero Waste International Alliance, alongside local Bay Area zero waste businesses and organizations. Enjoy informative tours, a vibrant festival, and more.
Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach will be presenting a keynote talk on Day 3 at the Zero Waste Forum & International Dialogue.
Moving Towards Outcomes-Based Financial Mechanisms for Waste Prevention
Earth Action is holding a webinar in conjunction with the release of their report Moving Towards Outcomes-Based Financial Mechanisms for Waste Prevention, which will explore how to bridge the funding gap in mitigating plastic pollution and create tangible environmental outcomes over financial return through outcome-based financing.
The expert panel will be chaired by Sarah Perreard, Co-CEO and Stakeholder Engagement Lead of EA Earth Action, with support from rePurpose Global and Upstream.
Outcomes-Based Waste Prevention (OBWP) is an innovative financial mechanism that incentivizes the reduction of plastic waste and aims to bridge the funding gap and accelerate progress towards Global Plastics Treaty goals.
World Wildlife Fund Plastic Policy Summit 2
Building on WWF's inaugural Plastic Policy Summit in March 2023, Summit 2024 will bring together stakeholders across the plastics value chain to workshop and consider new initiatives that will address plastic pollution in the United States. The Summit will create a space that challenges all stakeholders to push beyond the status quo to align on what more is possible – especially as policy efforts advance at the local, state, federal, and global levels.
This event is invite-only. Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach and Policy Director Sydney Harris will each be speaking.
Indisposable Live: Defining Reuse for Policymakers
As more EPR & DRS policies with reuse provisions are being developed, the definitions of “reuse” are scattered and often ill-conceived. Now is the time to properly define reusable packaging—and especially differentiate between returnable and refillable packaging—in the policy context.
Initiating a Reuse Revolution in Canada: Accelerator Pod Pitches
Are you interested in learning more about reuse models and scaling returnable packaging in Canada?
Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach will be presenting as part of this event.
GreenBiz 24
GreenBiz 24 is GreenBiz’s premier sustainability conference for business leaders seeking hands-on, tangible solutions in 2024. Join this growing community to recharge and learn what’s next in decarbonization, biodiversity, supply chains, strategic communications and much more — so you can continue to accelerate your impact and your career.
Reuse Solutions Network Meeting
A quarterly meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network, Upstream’s convening of reuse leaders from the US and Canada.
Reuse Solutions Network Meeting
A bi-monthly meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network, Upstream’s convening of reuse leaders from the US and Canada.
INC-3: Plastics Treaty Negotiations
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Students for Zero Waste Conference
PLAN’s Students for Zero Waste Conference brings together students, staff, industry innovators, activists, and community members from across the country each Fall. It serves as a space for community-building, inspiration, and solution sharing to push the movement forward—prioritizing holistic solutions to zero waste that center the needs of those most impacted by the Waste Crisis and systems of oppression.