Myth busting & Breaking barriers to scale
Too hard? Too expensive? Customers don’t want it? We hear these myths and barriers to scaling reuse all the time. And we are here to show that every challenge to making reuse work is surmountable and we have the means to overcome those barriers.
Media roundup
Blog posts, podcasts and other resources to show that reuse is do-able.
Upending the myths
From “reuse is too hard” to “reuse is too expensive” to “return rates are low” and “customers don’t want it”—we hear it all. And all these challenges can be surmounted!
“Reuse is too hard”
These restaurants, municipalities, and entrepreneurs have all found their way and are here to share their tips and insights.
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Restaurants can do it
Reusables Win in San Francisco: A livestream sharing the perspectives of 3 foodservice operators from the Bay Area who switched to reuse—and aren’t looking back.
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Cities can do it
A city-wide case study for reuse: Reuse Seattle walks us through the systemic approach the city has taken to build reuse into everyday life.
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Entrepreneurs can do it
Zero waste that keeps on giving: Reuse business owner GL shares his story in starting a circular detergent vending system with a mission.
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Nonprofits can do it
Tips to advocate for reuse in your community: Insights from ReusableLA’s leaders, who have been instrumental in passing multiple reuse and plastic reduction laws in the city and county.
“Reuse is too expensive”
While there’s undoubtedly an upfront investment in getting reuse off the ground, it pays off and then some over time—and in many instances, not a very long time at all.
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Reuse vs Single-use: Economics
Transitioning from single-use to reuse creates significant benefits for business, including better customer experiences and insights, brand loyalty and cost savings.
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Reuse saves money
Reusable foodware saves businesses money because reusables cost less over their lifetime.
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Reuse saves money. Now, how do we fund it?
A new report by Earth Action shows promise for funding reuse.
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Baking reuse into EPR & DRS
Well crafted Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return System laws can—and should—fund reuse infrastructure.
“ROI and return rates are too low”
These case studies, success stories and insights show that with well thought out systems in place, reuse pays back and reusables come back
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Tomorrow's New Reuse Economy for Foodservice
An infographic showing that 193,000 jobs could be created and businesses would save $5 billion in no longer procuring disposables in a reuse economy.
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5 Impact profiles of restaurants that switched to reuse
Fact sheets on 5 foodservice businesses that switched to reuse, all of which had a positive ROI.
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Incentivizing return in reuse systems
These businesses all had a 98% return rate on their reusables. Here’s how.
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Just Salad Case Study
In January 2021, Just Salad launched its BringBack Bowl pilot in New York City—with a 95% return rate.
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What makes an effective LCA for reuse?
To make a strong case for reuse and to build optimal systems, one key step we need to take is building material recovery rates into LCAs.
“Customers don’t want it”
Brands often use lack of consumer demand as an excuse, but plenty of evidence busts this myth, especially with growing public concern over plastic pollution.
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Do consumers prefer reuse?
Why yes, they do! A robust body of research shows high consumer demand for reusable packaging.
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Big brands can—and must—be changemakers
We did not “ask” for our packaging to be disposable. Why should companies wait for consumers to “ask” for reusable products and packaging?
Counter-arguments to the top four myths about why reuse is not a viable solution.