The Indisposable Podcast

Upstream's Sydney Harris is joined by the US Plastics Pact's Olivia Merritt Fitzgerald and Sustainable Packaging Coalition's Olga Kachook to discuss the growing drive for reuse among consumer brands. They share the details of two recent reports that map a path for bringing reuse to the retail setting and which product lines are best poised for the switch—plus the USPP's initiative to turn these findings into action. The key to success? Standardization and pre-competitive collaboration—both of which, our guests are happy to report, are in the works.Resources: Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Framework for Scaling ReuseClosed Loop Partners & US Plastics Pact: Getting Ready for Reuse in RetailUSPP Retail Reuse Initiative one-pagerListeners interested in participating in the US Plastic Pact's retail reuse initiative should contact Olivia Merritt Fitzgerald: OMFitzGerald@usplasticspact.org Listeners interested in exploring refill models should contact Olga Kachook: olga.kachook@greenblue.org Upstream: Embracing Reuse in U.S. Packaging EPR ProgramsPR3 StandardsEpisode 88: Setting the Standard for Reuse with PR3Episode 180: The Quest for a Universal Reuse SymbolGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

A perennial hot topic in the world of reuse advocacy is reuse and refill in food codes. At a recent meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network (RSN), we tapped some folks with direct experience in the field to share insights about key updates to the federal food code, plus strategies to both update your own state's code—including collaboration, coalition building, education, and stakeholder engagement. Tune into this deep-dive with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity, Charlie Plybon of Surfrider, and Heather Billings of the Center for EcoTechnology, shared with permission here for our broader podcast audience—and check out the link below if you'd like to join the next RSN conversation yourself.Resources: Kelley Dennings' Slide PresentationHeather Billings' Slide PresentationLinks mentioned in the presentationsGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

Switching schools to reusable foodware reduces waste and helps teach the next generation that there's a better way than throw-away — but our team's research shows dishwasher funding as the #1 one hurdle to transitioning schools. In this episode, we learn how it can be done, with parents, principals, key partners, and in this case, a little policy-making magic, too. Join Monica Campagna of the Glendale Environmental Coalition for this wild story of how one elementary school helped over 300 schools across California get funding to transition to reuse. Resources: Glendale Environmental Commission (GEC) - SB 1255Commercial dishwashing grant info (2024)Plastic Free Restaurants Green Lunchroom Facebook group California Environmental voters  Get involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

We have the information we need to make positive change—including implementing reuse systems. So how do we get people to act? Host Brooking Gatewood takes a deep dive into the psychology of normalizing reuse and influencing behavior change with experts Jennifer Carrigan and Katie Patrick. From emphasizing the importance of making reuse the default option, to highlighting the power of gamification and social comparison, they discuss how systemic changes influence individual action.Resources: katiepatrick.comKatie's 4 part podcast series to dig a little deeper TED Talk by Alex Laskey of OPowerClimate Action Design SchoolGrand Canyon ProjectGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

Last Fall, Upstream kicked off one of the most exciting reuse projects in the country right now, transforming concessions in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to create the largest reuse system in the US and the first at a national park. Tune in to learn more from Upstream's Jennifer Carrigan and Madhavi Trikha about this in-process model for open-loop reuse for national parks—and beyond.Resources: About the Grand Canyon ProjectRebrand Reuse & Design StandardsGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

2025 will go down in history as the year the universal Reuse symbol was born. PR3's Amy Larkin and design expert Cybelle Jones talk about the power of symbols and the current design initiative calling on creatives to develop a symbol that will help catalyze a cultural shift and normalize reuse around the world. Applications are due May 31 for this chance to be part of history—and part of the PR3 Reuse Standards development process. Resources: The Rebrand Reuse InitiativePR3 StandardsCybelle Jones — SEGDEpisode 88: Setting the Standard for Reuse with Claudette Juska and Amy LarkinKansas city soccer stadium reusable cup programGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

In this conversation, we dig into how reuse contributes to workforce development and economic opportunity - now and for future generations. Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Matthew Luisier of r.World, a fast-growing reuse service provider, and Natasha Wayne with Reaching All Minds Academy, a charter school that has taken on the challenge of switching back to reusables as part of its STEM through sustainability educational mission. With recent data showing that reuse creates more and safer jobs than landfills and recycling — we ground this data in the stories of two people helping manage the shift to a reuse economy in very different ways.Resources: r.WorldReaching All Minds AcademyThe Role of Reuse in a Just TransitionReuse vs Single-use: EconomicsGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

In the last few years, we've seen a big step-up from sports & entertainment venue leaders around the US to build reuse programs for arena and stadium concessions. Christy Briggs, Sustainability Manager for Lumen Field & the Seattle Seahawks and Mary McCarthy, VP of Sustainability for Levy Restaurants – hospitality provider to 350+ major venues – discuss some of the latest developments, next steps, and ongoing challenges when it comes to building a world of entertainment without the waste. Resources: Episode 159: A reuse playbook for stadiumsUpstream's Wash Hub MapGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Isabel Mack, creator of Party Kit Network, and Toni Mason with Bull City Boomerang Bags to talk about the power of community-focused, non-policy reuse initiatives. Especially for those living in areas where it is difficult to enact policy, there's still plenty you can do to engage in local change-making. Listen in for some stories of the challenges and joys of turning good ideas into organized local waste-reducing endeavors, and leave inspired to turn your own good ideas into meaningful action. Resources: Party Kit NetworkBull City Boomerang BagsJoin the REAL sharing economy with a Library of ThingsEpisode 7: The Creative Power of Limits Grounds Krewe for Mardi GrasGet Involved: Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

As packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) gets off the ground across the US, the time is right to shine a spotlight on reuse. Upstream's newest position paper breaks down exactly what to expect of a best-in-class producer responsibility organization (PRO) when it comes to supporting and planning for a transition to reusable packaging systems within EPR programs. This rebroadcast of a recent livestream covers key points from the paper and features a lively discussion with public policy expert Elizabeth Balkan, plus Emmaneulle Bautista and Valentin Fournel, special guests from Citeo—a French packaging PRO poised to launch a large-scale reusable packaging program with its member brands. Resources: Position Paper: Embracing reuse in EPR packaging programsLivestream recordingUpstream's presentation deckCITEO's presentation deck More information about CITEO's programThe state of EPR policy in the USDefining “reuse” in the policy contextReuse service providers in the US & CanadaZero Waste Europe: European Reuse BarometerGet Involved: Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

Switching K-12 schools to reusables in their cafeterias is a focus for many in the reuse movement: it's a win-win-win for improving children's health, educating and empowering the community around sustainability issues, and providing an impressive ROI for school administrators. That said, no change is easy, and barriers such as up-front funding, dishwashing, and staffing are real challenges. Thankfully, Amber Schmidt from ReThink Disposable and Ben Schleifer from Center for Environmental Health have hands-on experience in surmounting these barriers, and in this discussion they share some key insights for getting reuse into schools.Enjoy this recording of the January Reuse Solutions Network meeting, and check out the resources below if you'd like to join the RSN yourself.Resources: Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkReThink DisposableCenter for Environmental HealthWashington Post: Most US schoolchildren toss their lunch trays every dayCase studies on reuse in schoolsMore Indisposable Podcast episodes about reuse in schoolsThe Indisposable Podcast is brought to you by Upstream, which is a non-governmental organization. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow.

As Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, pediatrician and founder of the reusable foodware company Ahimsa®, points out—schools need data to make decisions. The Conscious Cafeteria Report, produced by Upstream and Ahimsa, is the latest evidence-based study projecting the environmental and financial impact of switching to reuse in K-12 schools, while robustly making the case for transitioning away from single-use foodware to protect children's health. Upstream's Macy Zander sits down with Dr. Mantravadi and Data Science Specialist Madhavi Trikha to break down the findings of the report as well as challenges and opportunities inherent in switching to reuse for schools. Spoiler alert: across geographies, demographics, and school set-ups—reuse wins, every time. Resources: The Conscious Cafeteria Reportahimsaschools.com ReThink Disposable Case Study: Palo Alto School DistrictCenter for Environmental Health (CEH)StopWaste Plastic Free RestaurantsReuse for Onsite Dining LibraryReuse Solutions Network (RSN)

Innovation in healthcare is no easy feat, as we learn in this conversation with Russell Gong, Co-founder and President of Cabinet Health. The fast-growing B-Corp on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic in medicine is starting by confronting the challenge of billions of disposable plastic pill bottles used annually in this country, with first-in-class models for reusable and refillable bottles. Russ and Brooking talk shop about the challenges, opportunities, metrics and more for getting plastic out of medicine.Resources:cabinethealth.com

Plastic Free MKE (Milwaukee) leaders Leah Holloway of Milwaukee Riverkeeper and Meenal Atre of the Urban Ecology Center share the story of this city-level coalition's success in reducing plastic pollution in a state that doesn't allow for policies banning “auxiliary containers” (e.g. plastic packaging). From loophole-focused policy wins to a Lake Friendly dining program, the insights from our guests are a great primer for anyone interested in starting a reuse coalition in their community. Resources: Plastic-Free MKEEpisode 171: Bans on BansThe ReusiesJoin or start a community coalition

The Conservative States & Provinces group—a subgroup of the Reuse Solutions Network— brings together advocates from areas where it is harder to pass policy so they can share and troubleshoot ways to advance reuse despite the obstacles. And one major barrier folks living in conservative states often face is preemption, aka “bans on bans.” If a town wants to pass a Skip the Stuff ordinance, for instance, a state with certain pre-emption laws could override it. This is a reality that impacts many living in more conservative jurisdictions and directly hinders the ability to pass local policy on plastics and packaging. This discussion from a recent meeting of the Conservative States & Provinces subgroup covers preemption more broadly and its implications for reuse policy; how it looks in different states; strategies for challenging it; and lessons learned from experienced panelists: Randy Moorman of Eco-Cycle in Colorado, Emma Haydocy of Surfrider in Florida, and Jeremy Drake of MT Plastic Free Missoula in Montana. Resources: Reuse Solutions NetworkEco-cycleSurfrider FloridaMT Plastic Free MissoulaUpstream's Policy TrackerReuse Coalitions & Groups

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Jessica Gonzalez, founder of Happen Ventures, to talk about their creative reuse business logistics services that solve waste problems, support communities, and creates a new climate-conscious business niche in the circular economy. From redistributing truckloads of unused PPE headed for the trash to connecting amputees to single shoes from display windows, learn about some scrappy match-making between excess product and unexpected markets that has diverted over 80,000 tons of usable products from landfill to date.Resources:Happen Ventures Tax Savings Calculator

Hear the inspiring story of Maryland Department of Aging's Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Reuse Program, one of the winners of the 2024 Reusies Community of the Year Award. Program director Ian Edwards sits down with host Brooking Gatewood to share their recipe for success in reusing wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds and more in Maryland—and how other states can follow suit to improve lives while saving money, carbon, and landfill waste. Resources: aging.maryland.govthereusies.org

Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) has been cooking up some serious systemic change strategies for college campus reuse programs. As a follow up to last Fall's episode 140, we check in with Atlas Program staff Lisa Smart plus students Abby White and Katin Kendrana to talk about the latest developments in this long-term strategic initiative to transform reuse in campus dining across the country. Resources: PLAN's Atlas ProgramReusable To-Go ManualReusable To-Go ROI Calculation Course infoEpisode 140: A higher education in reuseThe Reusies

When Leslie Bateman left New York City, she was shocked to discover how hard it was to find shoe repair in her new town. A new business, Coblrshop, was born when she met business operations maven Emily Watts, and together they set out to modernize how cobblers and customers connect. Join us for a candid chat about the challenges and joys of building the leather repair start-up that, less than two years into operations, impressed our Reusies Judges enough to land the win for Most Innovative Company in Fashion & Apparel at The Reusies 2024.  Resources: https://www.coblrshop.com/https://getcoblr.com/www.thereusies.org

Christiana Dujardin, who works within the Materials & Circular Economy Platform at Systemiq, served as lead analyst on a 2023 Ellen MacArthur Foundation report all about returnable reusable packaging and its economic and environmental impact compared to single-use, called Unlocking A Reuse Revolution - Scaling Returnable Packaging. She sits down with guest host, Upstream's Policy Director Sydney Harris, to share key insights from the report on how we might design a returnable packaging system that can compete economically, environmentally and experientially with single-use. Resources: Unlocking a Reuse Revolution - paper overview and downloadReuse Solutions Network meeting summaryJoin the Reuse Solutions NetworkSystemiq

How are reuse, climate change, and environmental justice related? In intricate and myriad ways, it turns out—which guests Holly Kaufman of the Plastics & Climate Project, circular economy expert Rich Grousset, and Jo Banner of the Descendants Project explore in depth in this recording of the summer Reuse Solutions Network (RSN) meeting. Resources: Sign up for the RSNThe Plastics and Climate ProjectThe Circularity Gap ProjectEllen MacArthur Foundation, Butterfly Diagram: Visualizing the Circular EconomyThe Descendants ProjectPlastics: The costs to society, the environment, and the economyThe Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Learn about the growth and evolution of a small community group that is a force for change in Upstate New York—taking on issues from artificial turf to BYO campaigns, to Skip the Stuff legislation. It is this latter action that spurred Yayoi Koizumi, founder of Zero Waste Ithaca and co-founder of BYO-US Reduces, to contact Upstream for help in making the case for Skip the Stuff. Leveraging our powerful software tool, Chart-Reuse, we were able to crunch the numbers to create localized data and show that, for example, $32000 could be saved in waste hauling and 350 tons of trash prevented from landfills if foodservice businesses refrained from handing out unnecessary single-use utensils, napkins, straws, etc. Yayoi and guest host Cerise Bridges discuss the power of good data in influencing businesses and legislators—plus insights into the ongoing barriers and challenges in making change.Resources: Zero Waste IthacaCampaign against artificial turf at Cornell BYO-US ReducesChart-ReuseZero Waste ChefSkip the Stuff campaign materialsEpisode 160: From cafeteria to community: students launch reuseChart-Reuse Case Studies

Upstream CEO Crystal Dreisbach sits down with host Brooking Gatewood to talk about her first year on the job, about Upstream's strategic vision refresh, and some exciting new tools and model projects in the works to help build infrastructure and normalize reuse in the years to come.Resources:Upstream's Strategic VisionPutting Reuse into Practice The National Park Foundation ProjectThe ReX PrizePodcast: The Reuse Playbook for StadiumsPodcast: Upstream CEOs pass the baton

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Manuela Zoninsein, the CEO & Founder of Kadeya, winner of the Most Innovative Company in the Food and Beverage category for the 2024 Reusies. Learn the secret to Kadeya's 99% bottle return rate, and how their patented closed-loop beverage system can eliminate single-use bottles forever while saving GHGs, eliminating threats from microplastics and unstable supply chains, and increasing worker hydration.Resources: www.thereusies.orgwww.kadeya.comwww.plasticfreejuly.org

Upstream was recently at GreenBiz's Circularity 24 conference in Chicago, where as part of The Reusies, we organized a special panel discussion on the “secret sauce” to scaling circular systems. Bringing together thought leaders from multiple corners of the reuse and circular economy movement, Upstream's CEO Crystal Dreisbach engaged panelists in a rich discussion about the key ingredients to make reuse an irresistible dish. Tune into this recording to learn from Caroline Vanderlip, Founder & CEO at Re:Dish; Elizabeth Balkan, Director of ReLoop North America; Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention at the US EPA; and Nicole Cerroni, VP of Sustainability at L'Oreal. Resources: Watch the video recording of the panelRe:DishReLoopL'OrealThe Reusies

When you hear the expression “the kids are alright,” it's referring to Sophie Horvath and Joshua Swift-Rawal, students at Berkeley High School in California. The friends noticed that a lot of their favorite restaurants were using single-use products, despite new reuse laws in their city, and they decided to do something about it. They started a project to launch a reusable container pilot at their school, with a vision of expanding city-wide. Sophie and Josh share how they navigated working with city and school officials to make the case for reuse, lessons they learned, and inspiring insights to help others bring reuse to their schools and communities.Resources: About the Reusable Container Pilot ProgramMore about the Berkeley Disposable Foodware PolicyEpisode 113: Introducing Chart-Reuse 

Stadiums are high-leverage anchor venues for developing reuse ecosystems in metro areas. With around 350 million fans attending sports and other large-venue events each year in the US—and using approximately 3 billion single-use items—the social and business cases for shifting to reuse are becoming increasingly clear. The Green Sports Alliance has worked with key venues and implementation partners to create the new Reuse Playbook, launching in June 2024—to share best practices, key considerations, inspiration, and lessons learned for anyone looking to make reuse happen at scale in their cities. Listen in to learn more from Michael Kraus of Green Sports Alliance, Brittany Saulsbury of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Jocelyn Quarrell of Bold Reuse.Resources: Green Sports Alliance PlaybooksPortland Trail Blazers/Rip City ReuseBold ReuseEpisode 156: Reuse RockstarsEpisode 81: Reuse for the Win! Reducing Waste in SportsIndisposable Live: Reuse Wins at Events

Join us as we navigate the ins and outs of the negotiations for a global plastic pollution treaty with Jamala Djinn, Policy Advisor for Break Free From Plastic, and Rachel Radvany, Environmental Health Campaigner for the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). These stalwart strategists have been involved in all four of the “INC” (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) meetings since 2021, including the most recent in Canada. They sit down with host Brooking Gatewood to talk about the challenges and possibilities in the treaty process—and how we can all make a difference in this historic effort.Resources: CIEL: Plastic Global Law & PolicyBFFP: Key demands for INC-4 delegatesUpstream: 5 takeaways from the draft plastics treatyINC-4

With a background and passion for youth mentorship and career development, Bryan Lewis leads GreenBiz.org's Emerging Leaders program, which aims to elevate, cultivate and support the next generation of BIPOC leaders in the climate community. The Emerging Leaders will be featured at Circularity 24 in Chicago, where Bryan will also be emceeing the fourth annual reuse awards, The Reusies. In this special episode, guest host, Upstream's Chief Marketing Officer Vanessa Tiongson, sits down with Bryan to talk about the importance of empowering the next generation of diverse leaders, the need for more underrepresented young professionals to connect with leaders in the sustainability industry, and the necessity of a just transition to a sustainable future.Resources: Greenbiz.org: Emerging Leaders ProgramThe Reusies at CircularityBryan Lewis' Keynote Talk at GreenBiz 24 (video)Q&A with Bryan Lewis and Kristy Drutman at The 2023 Reusies (video)Climate Justice Alliance - Just Transition

From Hollywood sets to festival stages, this conversation with Dianna Cohen and Annie Rothschild Farman of Plastic Pollution Coalition is filled with inspiring examples of how all-star and up-and-coming artists, event planners, and activists are working together to change culture and reduce plastic pollution and waste at events. A great listen for touring musicians, festival goers, and beyond. Resources: BYOBottle.orgMusic Sustainability AlliancePPC Webinar SeriesIndependence from Plastic: A ‘Micro' Plastic-Free Film ContestEpisode 15: Force of Nature

The Town of Banff, located in Canada's first National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, receives over 4 million visitors each year and has no landfills or recycling facilities—presenting both unique opportunities and challenges to achieving the Town's goal of moving toward zero waste. In 2023, they passed a pioneering Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy & Bylaw (for which they won a Community of the Year award at The Reusies) requiring reusables for on-site dining as well as a strategy focused on reduction and reuse tailored to their unique tourism-based context. Learn from Environmental Coordinator Carla Bitz about the grassroots efforts that led to passage of this law, how it's going, and what others can learn from Banff's example. Plus, check out the Reuse for Onsite Dining Library linked in the resources that we hope will help other advocates pass similar laws in their community!Resources:Town of Banff Zero Waste Action PlanReuse for Onsite Dining Library Policy Brief: What does it take for municipalities to require reusables for on-site dining?The ReusiesBerkeley's Foodware Reduction Law 

The coalition Reusable LA has been actively advocating for a number of years on several policies pertaining to waste reduction and plastic pollution, including the switch to reuse for onsite dining. Upstream's Macy Zander interviews Reusable LA's co-leads, Alison Waliszewski of 5 Gyres and Emily Parker of Heal the Bay, to hear their key tips for advocates working on this topic.Resources:Accompanying video and summary blogreusablela.org reusablela@gmail.comReusable LA on InstagramStart or join a community coalitionThe Reuse for Onsite Dining resource library

Even as we see increased momentum behind EPR, DRS and other policies involving reuse, 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. Tune into this re-cast of Indisposable Live® (Upstream's livestream series) to learn from Zero Waste Europe's Nathan Dufour about the recommendations outlined in ZWE's Packaging Refill vs. Packaging Prevention report, as well as from Oceana's Matt Littlejohn about global examples of reuse at scale. Upstream's Policy Director and discussion moderator Sydney Harris explains the different types of reuse, offers some do's and don'ts within the policy landscape, and shares Upstream's own recommended definition of reuse—in hopes of moving us all forward in passing truly effective reuse policy. Resources: Zero Waste Europe: Packaging Refill vs Packaging PreventionOceana: Refill Again reportTakeaway summary, video recording, and full roundup of resources mentioned

Dr Lisa Erdle of the 5 Gyres Institute sits down with host Brooking Gatewood to talk about 5 Gyre's recent Better Alternatives 3.0 report, covering their latest research into how well “compostable” and “biodegradable” plastics break down in various environments, potential pitfalls, promising contenders, and the role of smart material science and composting infrastructure as we transition toward a reuse economy.Resources:Better Alternatives 3.0 ReportBAN List 2.0 

Learn about some of the most innovative reuse design work happening today with Ellie Moss and Dr. Dagny Tucker, the co-founders of Perpetual. Just two years in, Perpetual is laying foundations for long-term systems change to implement reusable foodware infrastructure in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Hilo, Hawaii; Galveston, Texas; and Savannah, Georgia. They share key early insights about sustainable city-scale reuse planning, funding, and more.Resources: https://www.perpetualuse.org/Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Solid waste infrastructure recycling grantsEpisode 20 with Vessel 

Listen in for our second discussion in this series on a Just Transition and its implications for the reuse economy—featuring highlights from a recent Alternative Economy report put out by the Center for Biological Diversity plus the INC-3 meetings in Nairobi. Guests Marcel Howard and Jessica Roff from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and Kelley Dennings with the Center for Biological Diversity provide deep insight into the importance of language; the models for regenerative economies that exist right now; what they are excited about for the near future—and more. Resources: Center for Biological Diversity report: Alternative Economies: Uplifting Activities For A Sustainable FutureCenter for Biological DiversityGAIAPlastic Free FutureBreak Free From PlasticINC-3Society of Native NationsCenter for International Environmental Law

A Just Transition to reuse focuses on putting people and planet first — so simple in theory, and not at all easy in practice. But we can all help amplify the stories that spotlight green jobs and best practices for a transition that include those who have been most marginalized by our throw-away economy. Listen in for a rich discussion with Brett Nadrich from Break Free From Plastic, Marcel Howard from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, and Adoma Addo with the Center for Biological Diversity (now with Milken Institute)—originally recorded as part of a Reuse Solutions Network meeting in August, 2023. And stay tuned for next week's follow-up episode on this nuanced topic.Resources: Learn about/join the Reuse Solutions NetworkBreakFreeFromPlasticGlobal Alliance for Incinerator AlternativesCenter for Biological Diversity

Did you know? Just $28 worth of stainless steel forks can wipe out 5040 of their single-use counterparts in a school cafeteria. That's how, one dollar at a time over the last 3 years, Plastic Free Restaurants has eliminated 9 million pieces of plastic from dining institutions around the country. Executive Director John Charles Meyer inspires us with this progress while being candid about the challenges of running a non-profit that subsidizes schools and restaurants to switch to reuse.When we first chatted with John Charles, things were just getting going again after Covid lockdowns, and momentum around reuse and reuse policy has really taken off since then. Guest host, Upstream's Macy Zander, welcomes him back to see what lessons he's learned, what trends he's seeing, and how we can all work together to move reuse forward. Resources: Plastic Free RestaurantsGuest article by John Charles Meyer: 3 Lessons from Launching & Running a Reuse Non-ProfitEpisode 94: Making restaurants more reusableRethink DisposableAhimsa1% for the Planet 

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with some of the leaders of Reuse Seattle, which won The Reusies 2023 Community Action of the Year “Building Reuse” award. Zero Waste thought leaders McKenna Morrigan of Seattle Public Utilities and Moji Igun of Blue Daisi consulting walk us through the systemic approach the city has taken to build reuse into everyday life in Seattle—from a public BYO campaign and start-up funding for businesses switching to reuse, to model policies and zero waste beer gardens at major music events, and more. Tune in to learn about this inspiring case study for all cities looking to make throw-away go away. Also check out episode 93 for Matt Prindiville's conversation last year with two other Reuse Seattle visionaries in this effective public-private collaboration, Pat Kaufman at Seattle Public Utilities and Stephanie Thomas of Cascadia Consulting.Resources: Reuse SeattleThe Reuse Solutions NetworkThe ReusiesEpisode 93: Coalition Building in SeattleAn educational handout for coffee shopsReuse Wins at Eventsr.World (formerly r.Cup)Bold ReuseUpstream's Policy Tracker

The healthcare worker's mandate of “first, do no harm” should make reducing single-use waste in medical facilities a no-brainer. But as Dan Vukelich, President of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, illuminates—the sector with health at its heart is also a top polluter. Dan has made an impactful 20+ year career of providing hospital managers and policy makers with the tools to reduce costs, waste, and greenhouse emissions through the safe reuse of "single-use" medical devices. And it will come as no surprise to anyone working to foster reuse in any sector that his data shows medical device reuse is hands-down better for people, the planet, and the bottom line. Resources:Association of Medical Device ReprocessorsDan Vukelich on LinkedInThe Reusies

Upstream, née the Product Policy Institute, was founded on October 27th, 2003. Twenty years later, as the reuse movement continues to grow, Upstream's COO & Chief Friendmaker Julie Lamy sits down with our longest standing board member, David Stitzhal—a.k.a Stitz—to reminisce and look ahead. From Upstream's roots focused on packaging policy, to our pivots during Covid, to the increasing, global focus on reuse—Stitz shares his insights on working “upstream” both with the organization and in the broader movement. Resources: Blog: The chef taking trash out of school lunchPodcast: Coalition Building in Seattle with Pat KaufmanLivestream: The safety and future of reuseHow Upstream & the Reuse Movement Began

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with leaders from The Reusies 2023 Most Innovative Fashion & Apparel Company, The Renewal Workshop by Bleckmann. Nicole Bassett, co-Founder of The Renewal Workshop (TRW) and now Circularity Lead at Bleckmann—which acquired TRW in 2022—and Chief Business Development Officer Jurrie-Jan Tap discuss the history and exciting future of this successful clothing renew-and-resell program. Listen in to learn about how Bleckmann is helping surmount challenges and scale reuse for the apparel industry.Resources: Bleckmann's The Renewal WorkshopBleckmann's sustainability storyThe Reusies

Upstream Policy Director and this episode's guest host, Sydney Harris, sits down with Judy Hilton, a reuse and sustainability consultant and researcher, and co-author of the recent groundbreaking report Making Reuse a Reality: A systems approach to tackling single-use plastic pollution. The report came about as a collaborative effort between Break Free From Plastic and the University of Portsmouth's Global Plastics Policy Centre (which Judy helped develop). It outlines the stages which will enable the transition away from single-use plastic so reuse systems can scale and  was presented at this spring's Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Paris, INC-2. The report makes the case that the Treaty presents a key opportunity to set out the foundations of reuse systems. Learn more as Sydney and Judy dive deep on Judy's research and what it implies for reuse policy, standards, and more.Resources: Making Reuse a Reality: A systems approach to tackling single-use plastic pollutionThe Global Plastics Policy CentreBreak Free From Plastic The Global Plastics TreatyZero Waste Europe: The economics of reuseThe New Reuse EconomyJudy Hilton/Orbit Reuse

Host Brooking Gatewood talks shop with Caroline Vanderlip, Founder and CEO of Re:Dish, one of the hottest new businesses for reuse and game-changing innovation this year. With award-winning design for warewashing machines and software, Re:Dish works with companies, municipalities, schools, venues, and more to help scale reuse, one city at a time. Tune in to learn more about their business model, early hurdles, and dreams for growth.Resources: Re:Dish websiteThe Reusies®Podcast: The ABCs of reuse in K-12 schoolsWhite paper: Infrastructure to scale the New Reuse Economy

Fifty years of data on deposit return system (DRS) laws (or “bottle bills”) in the U.S. demonstrate that these programs effectively boost collection and recycling rates, create opportunities and jobs in local economies, prevent roadside litter and plastic pollution, and catalyze reuse. What is the importance of reuse in DRS, and how can DRS policies incorporate the latest thinking on reuse solutions, funding, and incentives? Learn more about this and recent policy wins across the country in our latest installation of Indisposable Live: How US Bottle Bills are Accelerating Reuse. Special guest panelists include Susan Collins, President of the Container Recycling Institute; Sarah Nichols, Sustainable Maine Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine; and Peter Spendelow, Natural Resource Specialist at Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality. They  will showcase the distinct ways that California, Oregon, and Maine have begun to incorporate reuse/refill into their bottle bills. Resources: Bottlebill.orgMaine's bottle bill (LD1909)Chaptered text of the updated law in MaineCA SB 1013 pageThe New Reuse Economy: How reuse systems and services will revolutionize how we consume1974 EPA report: Second Report to Congress - Resource Recovery and Source Reduction 

In this installment of our Back to School Series, we head to college dining halls with Alex Freid, Founder & Director of Atlas Zero Waste Strategy at Post-Landfill Action Network. Alex and Brooking talk with two student leaders from Atlas' fellowship program—Emily Johnson from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and Kailei Wedge at the University of New Hampshire— about their hands-on learning experiences and what they are doing to surmount some of the biggest challenges of switching to reuse, on campus and beyond.Resources:www.postlandfill.org/atlasThe Indisposable Podcast episode #32: Students can be teachers, too 

As part of our back to school series, this episode focuses on how K-12 schools are re-learning reuse, featuring Sasha Palmer and Rebecca Salguero of Brookline Massachusetts Public Schools, and Ben Schleifer of the Center for Environmental Health Food Program. They sit down with host Brooking Gatewood to dig into the Why, the How, and the lessons learned in making throw-away go away from school lunches.Resources:CEH's foodware projectCEH's Ditching Disposables ToolkitBrookline Public SchoolsPlastic Free RestaurantsRe:Dish in schools

To kick off a new “back to school” series, we begin with the student perspective – those who will be, and in many ways already are, leading the reuse movement. Host Macy Zander sits down with Bay Area high school students Amanda Yu (Stanford Online High School), Kaavya Baliga (Menlo School), and Eileen Liu (Menlo-Atherton High School), who are each deeply involved in reuse and sustainability efforts at their schools and in their communities. If the stories of their successes and challenges sound familiar, it's because they're doing work that is just as impactful and sophisticated as anyone else in the space – building coalitions, working with elected officials to pass legislation, and educating others on why it's so important that we take action now. Hear what they've learned – and what they have to teach us.Resources:Reusable San Mateo CountyPlastic-Free FutureJoin a Reuse Coalition

Upstream's previous CEO Matt Prindiville makes a special return as podcast host in order to “pass the baton” to our new CEO – and Matt's longtime friend – Crystal Dreisbach. Crystal is a Solutioneer whose life goal is to disrupt the status quo of our throw-away economy. With over 13 years of executive leadership experience in developing solutions that prevent waste, her goal is to help shift our economy to one that is just, sustainable, and builds resilient communities. Listen to this in-depth conversation to learn more about Crystal's journey with reuse, her science-minded approach to reuse solutions, and her vision for the movement as Upstream starts a new chapter in its 20th year—and a little about what Matt is up to, as well!Resources:Crystal on LinkedInYouTube: Get to know Upstream's new CEOPodcast: CLYNK your glass for Matt's next stepsThe Reusies 

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with G.L., founder of Generation Conscious, which won The Reusies 2023 Most Innovative Reuse Company in Consumer Packaged Goods. Since 2021, Generation Conscious has been laying the ground-work for a student-centered, hygiene-equity focused business that is saving carbon and avoiding single-use waste through campus-based laundry soap refill stations. Learn more about the incredible innovations coming out of this first-generation, Black-led company that employs local labor, trains students in organizing and fundraising, reinvests surplus profits into BIPOC and queer-led fellowships, and ensures economic success is shared by workers.Resources:Generation Conscious on InstagramGeneration Conscious websiteThe Reusies

In this insightful episode, host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Lara Seng, Senior Sustainable Living Manager with Sodexo North America. They go behind the scenes into corporate organizing and strategic pilots to discuss how this Fortune 500 company is taking on the challenges of shifting to reuse at a massive scale. Sodexo, with Lara's guidance, has been one of the longest running partners and Beta-testers of Chart Reuse, Upstream's first-in-industry foodware reuse analytics platform. Learn how Sodexo is working toward greater sustainability, and how Chart Reuse helps highlight the huge environmental and economic opportunity of reuse for institutional change.Resources:Chart-Reuse.eco