The Indisposable Podcast®

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

Listen back to the latest installment of our livestream series, Indisposable Live®. This one was actually held live, following The Reusies 2023, which was showcased this year at Circularity 23 in Seattle. The Reusies highlighted the theme of cooperation and collaboration needed among different sectors (corporations, investors, NGO/non-profits, communities and government) when implementing and scaling reuse models to build and grow a thriving New Reuse Economy. Representatives from each sector then engaged in a powerful discussion about the successes, challenges, opportunities and collaboration needed to make this collective vision of a new reuse world a reality.Moderated by Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Upstream, panelists include:Yinka Bode-George, Founder & CEO, Sustain our FutureHelen Kao, Group Manager, Global Reusables, StarbucksGeorgia Sherwin, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Closed Loop PartnersAshima Sukhdev, Climate Mitigation & Circular Economy Policy Advisor, City of SeattleResources: Circularity 23The ReusiesIndisposable Live video recordingPodcast episode: A bird’s eye view of the circular economy, with Ashima Sukhdev

Alejandra Warren, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Plastic Free Future, focuses on the power of kindness and collective action for social change that protects the planet. The impact of her collaborative work in the reuse community is widely recognized via policy victories in California, nation-wide coalition-building, and most recently at the INC-2 negotiations in Paris. She was also the winner of The Reusies Activist of the Year 2022 award. Alejandra joins host Brooking Gatewood for a candid conversation about inclusive organizing for a waste-free world, with an approach that focuses on joy; celebrating the inherent wisdom in community; and extending a circle of compassion to all of nature. Resources: Plastic Free FutureReusable San Mateo CountyGlobal Reuse SummitPodcast: Global Reuse on World Refill DayINC-2 NegotiationsPR3

World Refill Day is a global day of action to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. Last year the campaign reached 80 countries and 100 million people, and for this year’s event on June 16th, UK-based City to Sea and partners are aiming even higher: launching the Global Reuse Summit and envisioning a circular future where reuse & refill are the norm. Join City to Sea’s veteran campaign leads Jo Morley, Head of Marketing and Campaigns, and Steve Hynd, Media and Policy Manager, to learn more about the origins and mission behind World Refill Day—then heed their advice and head to the pub to celebrate with the age-old reuse system of a good pint!Resources:World Refill DayGlobal Reuse SummitThe Refill appCity to Sea

Tim Wolters is a modern-day “Renaissance Man” of the tech world and co-founder and CEO of CrowdSolve, a startup platform that combines technology and human-to-human collaboration to advance innovative climate solutions. CrowdSolve uses machine learning to help select the climate innovations with the highest potential for impact and momentum, an algorithm that host Dr. Priscilla Johnson aptly equates to a “dating app for climate entrepreneurs.” Join Tim and Priscilla as they delve into the parallels between climate and reuse solutioneering—including the importance of scale; maintaining quality of life to spark further change; and the necessity of collaboration, ideation, and innovation to forge a better future.Resources:Crowdsolve.eco1000 GretasThe New Builders by Elizabeth MacBrideThe Reusies

How can we begin to address mistakes we have made in the past and design a more sustainable future? How can we build bridges rather than putting up walls between one another? Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, world-renowned thought-leader, strategist, activist – and 2023 Reusies judge – to explore these profound questions and how they relate to climate justice and equity. While some answers lie in science, practical action and policy, Dr. Ali reminds that grace, love and an appreciation of our shared humanity all play a vital role. Resources: Clean economy of color coalitionMustafaSantiagoAli.comThe Coolest ShowA poem by Dr. AliLivestream: Racial Justice & Environmentalism, Together & Inseparable

With growing recognition that the fashion & apparel industry is a large contributor to our waste crisis, we are fortunate to have creative minds working on practical solutions – many of them incorporating reuse models. Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Lewis Perkins, President of the Apparel Impact Institute and 2023 Reusies judge, to explore these opportunities, which his organization is helping to build and bring to fruition. With decades of experience in cradle-to-cradle solutions for textiles and apparel, Lewis shares a bit of his story, some of the more exciting sustainable developments in carpet and clothing – such as scaling impact through pooled funding – and why being a Reusies Judge lights him up! Resources:The Apparel Impact InstituteThe Reusies

As part of its environmental portfolio, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) engages companies, policy makers and players across the plastics value chain to ensure an effective waste management system for plastic. As Plastic and Material Science Program Specialist at WWF, Jess Zeuner is dedicated to helping achieve their ambitious vision of “No Plastic in Nature by 2030” – with reuse as an essential solution area. She sits down with host Dr. Priscilla Johnson to discuss how WWF is helping companies translate their plastic commitments into measurable change, the collaboration needed to create a circular future, and what inspired her to be a judge for The Reusies 2023.Resources: ReSource PlasticWWF Plastic Policy SummitWorld Wildlife FundThe Reusies

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) does tremendous work to serve the global community of entrepreneurs focused on ocean sustainability with funding, mentorship, capacity-building, and more. Their accelerator program has supported 45 world-leading ocean tech startups with $225M in lifetime funding. And Camila Vega, Solutions Portfolio Manager at SOA, draws on her wealth of experience as a founder, operations executive, and community organizer to help nurture these startups that are embracing bold solutions to plastic pollution. She joins host Brooking Gatewood to discuss community-powered innovation, human-centered design, and why technology alone is insufficient to address our waste crisis.This episode is part of our series highlighting the judges for The Reusies 2023.Resources:Sustainable Ocean AllianceSOA Ocean Leadership micrograntsPodcast: Indisposable Venture Capital with SOA’s Doreen WongThe Reusies

With a background in waste management, Anita Schwartz, VP at environmental consulting company WSP, is only too aware of the massive carbon footprint embedded in our systems of extraction and production of goods. And she’s also taking a close look at the many indirect sources of carbon emissions created every step of the way to the landfill – what are known as “scope 3 emissions.”Along with host Dr. Priscilla Johnson, Anita discusses how companies can become more sustainable by reimagining their supply chains. And she explains another important but overlooked “r”, redistribute – a concept critical to ensuring a just and equitable transition to a circular economy. Anita also shares her fascination with the innovative business models emerging in the reuse space that drew her to serve as a judge for The Reusies 2023.Resources: WSPScope3Indisposable Live: Envisioning the New Reuse EconomyThe Reusies

Raise your glasses to send a warm but bittersweet farewell to our beloved CEO and podcast host Matt Prindiville. In this episode, we talk about the rare opportunity that compelled him to leave Upstream so he could help build reuse infrastructure in the private sector. Join us to reminisce about some key moments and favorite aspects of Matt’s 12+ year history helping lead the Upstream team and the reuse movement.Resources: About CLYNKPodcast: Setting the stage for the new reuse economy (featuring CLYNK)Podcast: On the road to reuse with bottle billsThe New Reuse Economy: How the beverage sector’s re-embrace of refill will transform the industry*Correction: Matt mentions that CLYNK's technology is licensed in Oregon, which is not indeed the case. OBRC (see episode #122) has their own technology and systems that were independently developed. They've had no formal relationship with CLYNK since 2021, and their prior relationship was not a license but a software transition and coexistence agreement.

Hailing from The Netherlands, which sits below sea level, Thom Almeida is no stranger to the threat posed by climate change. These origins helped inform his career path up to the present day, where, as Platform Curator for Future of Consumption at the World Economic Forum, he focuses on the challenge of adopting reuse systems from the consumer’s perspective. What systems are they most likely to embrace? What arguments do they find most persuasive? What behavior trends are we seeing in the reuse space?Thom sits down with our host, Chief Strategy Officer Priscilla Johnson, to discuss his team’s work to find reuse solutions that can succeed in the marketplace – and the exciting collaborations that are helping to spur new innovations. This episode is part of our series highlighting The Reusies 2023 partners. We are thrilled that WEF is back for a third year as an amplifying partner, and that Poonam Watine will be serving on the judges panel. Resources: World Economic Forum - Future of Consumption PlatformWorld Economic Forum - Circular Economy resources & initiativesUN Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Kicking off our series highlighting the incredible partners of The Reusies 2023, we’re joined by two GreenBiz team members who are helping organize Circularity 23 in Seattle, WA – where, on June 7, The Reusies will make its in person debut.VP of Circularity, Jon Smieja, and Circular Economy Manager, Kori Goldberg, sit down with our host, Chief Strategy Officer Priscilla Johnson, to discuss all things circular – what’s percolating at Circularity 23, how best to guide the massive shifts in thinking and practice needed to embrace the circular economy, and what we can learn from other countries that are farther along in their journeys.Resources:The ReusiesCircularity 23

The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative is the industry steward of that state’s nationally recognized beverage container redemption program, helping discharge the responsibilities of beverage companies in complying with the state’s bottle deposit law. They have also started to collect and process refillable beer bottles to get them back to a consortium of Oregon brewers for washing and refilling. Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Jules Bailey, President and CEO of the OBRC, to dive deep into the details of how the cooperative works—and how it can serve as a model service provider for the New Reuse Economy—all with a focus on convenience for the consumer. Resources: OBRCFact sheet: Deposit Return Systems Accelerate ReuseWhich comes first? EPR or DRS?Clynk: Setting the stage for the new reuse economy

What will it take to accelerate the New Reuse Economy? For Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact, it starts with concepts close to our hearts: convening and collaborating. The Pact’s Reuse Catalyst program aims to boost emerging and established reuse and refill innovators, and the broader industry, through shared learning, expertise, and amplification. Lauren Sweeney, co-founder and CEO of DeliverZero—a New York City-based reuse service and an inaugural member of the Catalyst—needs no convincing. She joins Emily and host Matt Prindiville to discuss the program’s successes and challenges, including why many companies are hesitant to fund sustainability efforts—and why that’s a losing proposition, both for the future of the planet and for their own economic resilience. Resources:U.S. Plastic Pact’s Reuse CatalystDeliverZero

With momentum surging in state legislatures to tackle the growing waste crisis, we face a pivotal opportunity to catalyze the new reuse economy. In this special Indisposable Live episode, we explore how best to incorporate waste prevention and reuse into one of the most popular waste policies - Extended Producer Responsibility. In this special Indisposable Live episode, Upstream's Policy Director Sydney Harris provides an overview of Upstream’s new Principles for Reuse/Refill in EPR and DRS, and talks with leaders crafting and supporting EPR legislation including Jennifer Navarra, Program Director for Zero Waste Hawaiʻi Island; Will Grassle, Associate for Policy & Programs at the Product Stewardship Institute; McKenna Morrigan, Policy Advisor at Seattle Public Utilities; and David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Materials Management Program.Resources:Upstream's Indisposable Live seriesPolicy Principles for Reuse/Refill in EPR & DRSMore information on EPR & DRS

Atlantic Packaging was founded, incredibly enough, by a KKK-fighting journalist from the South, whose efforts led to the arrest of hundreds of Klan members. Today, his grandson Wes Carter continues to lead the largest privately held packaging company in North America with a strong sense of ethics and a focus on sustainability. He’s launched an initiative to significantly reduce plastic-centric packaging, as well as “A New Earth Project,” a collaboration between the packaging supply chain and the global surfing community to help reduce ocean plastic waste. Joined by their Director of Sustainability, Caroline James, the two sit down with host Matt Prindiville for a discussion about extended producer responsibility and what CPG brands and packaging suppliers are doing in this pivotal opportunity that we have to catalyze the new reuse economy.Resources: Atlantic PackagingA New Earth ProjectThe Editor and the Dragon“Your Packaging is the Problem” in Yale Insights by Caroline JamesUpstream’s Principles for Reuse/Refill in EPR

Should a reuse business focus on its product’s sustainability as a primary selling point? What will it take to compete with single-use? When will we see widespread adoption of reuse systems? Reuse entrepreneur Daniel Velez sits down with host, Chief Strategy Officer Priscilla Johnson, for a lively conversation in which he shares insights gained from launching—and ultimately, closing—Growly, “the milkman of craft beer.” The hard truth is that most startups don’t last. But Daniel illustrates the valuable lessons we can take from such experiences, and why, despite challenges, the reuse sector will only continue to grow.Resources: Daniel’s article to accompany this interview: 3 lessons learned from launching & running a reuse startupDaniel’s blog: The Milkman ModelDaniel’s first podcast: Craft beer takes the reuse route

How do we ensure healthy, sustainable communities when we live in a system that so often prioritizes profits over people, especially those who are historically marginalized? Jose Bravo, Executive Director of The Just Transition Alliance, spends his days working on this very issue. And while there are no easy answers or quick fixes, one thing is clear: the most effective solutions will come from engaging those same communities that have been most harmed by entrenched systems of extraction and exploitation. Our host, Upstream's Chief Strategy Officer Priscilla Johnson, sits down with Jose for a wide-ranging and engaging conversation on localized solutions to the climate and waste crisis that put the health of people and the planet first. Resources: Just Transition AllianceJustice40 InitiativeThe Produce Prescription ProjectUpstream's Climate, Plastics & Reuse toolkit

In honor of Women’s History Month and the amazing efforts of countless women in the reuse movement, host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Upstream Board Members Ashley Craig and Linda Corrado for a candid chat about their own work on reuse – both professionally and personally. Learn about the paths these two women have taken from successful corporate careers in fashion and finance to the joy-inducing work of helping make throw-away go away. Their stories offer a model for how to direct one’s professional skills and talents toward the greater good – that anyone with a heart for this work can apply to transform their own careers and communities. Resources: Vlog: Women who Power the Reuse MovementThe ReusiesChart Reuse Reuse Coalitions

In our first-ever episode of The Indisposable Podcast, we celebrated the passing of the 2019 Single Use Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance in Berkeley, California. More than 100 episodes later, host Brooking Gatewood welcomes back Martin Bourque, Executive Director of The Ecology Center, to discuss the organization’s new toolkit to help others learn from this unique model for both policy and research. Joined by Jessica Heiges, researcher at the Environmental Science Policy and Management Program at UC Berkeley, the three talk about the unique conditions that led to the ordinance’s passing, the importance of campaign finance limits for environmental policy, the unexpected setback of COVID-19 – and what we’re learning now as implementation and enforcement are finally under way. Tune in for this rich policy and practice discussion as the city of Berkeley works to get off the disposable treadmill. Resources:The Disposable Free Berkeley ToolkitThe Ecology Center

How do you convince a global corporation to alter its course on single-use plastics? Shining light on the problem can be a good start. In a landmark report released in December 2022, Oceana revealed Amazon.com's staggering contributions to the growing plastic waste crisis – 709 million pounds in 2021 alone. While Amazon’s response has been lackluster, the wheels of change are already in motion via public pressure and calls for legislative action.Upstream’s Chief Strategy Officer, Priscilla Johnson, sits down with Matt Littlejohn, SVP of Strategic Initiatives at Oceana, to discuss the report, what more Amazon can do as one of the world’s most advanced logistics companies, and the importance of taking collective action to pressure big brands to change their ways. Resources:Report: Amazon’s plastic packaging waste jumped 18% to 709 million pounds in 2021 Take action: Tell Amazon, “Less Plastic, Please”Oceana

Chart-Reuse™ by Upstream is a first-in-industry foodware reuse analytics platform that has recently soft-launched to the public. Ideated and developed over the last few years with major food service and fast food companies as pilot partners, this transformative tool allows food service companies to calculate cost, waste and greenhouse gas emission impacts, and manage their shift from single-use to reuse at project sites across North America. Listen in to learn more about Chart-Reuse with Upstream team members Matt Prindiville and Cerise Bridges.Resources:Chart-Reuse.eco

Working on reuse solutions in Indonesia is much the same as in the US – setting standards, organizing campaigns, implementing and iterating policy at the local level. But the region faces additional challenges with the burdens of pollution and plastic waste literally arriving on their shores from countries in the Global North. In this context, the reuse victories Tiza Mafira has helped achieve are especially impressive, having initiated single-use bag bans in over 100 cities across the country. And that’s just the beginning. Tiza sits down with host Matt Prindiville to discuss her work on big, system-changing solutions as an activist, Co-Founder of the Plastic Bag Diet Movement, and Director of the Climate Policy Initiative.Resources: Climate Policy InitiativeIndonesia Plastic Bag Diet MovementThe Story of Plastic

You may know award-winning actress Alysia Reiner as Fig on the hit Netflix show Orange is the New Black - but did you know she is also an ambassador and change-maker for reuse and sustainability? Alysia sits down with host Matt Prindiville to discuss her work as an activist and ecopreneur, her positive approach to changing hearts and minds on climate and reuse – and how, with a little creative thinking, we can flip the script on single-use.Resources: alysiareiner.comIzzy Zero Waste BeautyThe Reusies

Reuse service company r.Cup has been making big moves lately, and event-goers are eagerly embracing their reusable cup systems. Not content to rest on their laurels after winning the award for Most Innovative Food & Beverage Company at The Reusies 2022, r.Cup has been expanding into new cities, landing deals with high-profile event producers, and forging partnerships with big brands to create the cultural and infrastructure sea changes needed to scale reuse. CEO and Founder Michael Martin has even found time to work on a book. Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Michael and r.Cup’s Chief Revenue Officer, Tina Swanson, to learn more.Resources: The Reusiesr.CupR.Cup’s impact at ZooTunes in SeattleGet in touch with r.Cup

As Vice President of Innovation Discovery at Clorox, Miranda Helmer knows that a key to measurable success in reuse is cooperation – sharing ideas and information that will help bring reuse solutions to scale – though it can be hard to get other corporations to see it that way. So rather than waiting for change to come to them, Clorox is leading by example as a member of the Reuse Refill Action Forum, a collaboration space co-convened by Upstream where companies can forge connections with other companies, NGOs, and policy makers. Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Miranda to talk about the forum, as well as the many new reusable products Clorox is bringing to market across their many brands, with the help of her leadership.Resources: Reuse Refill Action Forum (sign up here)Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Evan Abel, Head of Service Design at the Rounds, sits down with host Matt Prindiville to discuss how the company is taking delivery to a new level of convenience. Their “psychic home manager” handles the inventory of everyday essentials in your home, anticipating and bringing you goods exactly when you need them – with zero waste. With its cutting-edge software, the company learns what you want, delivers your products in refillable containers with personalized amounts, and then “makes the rounds” to pick them back up for reuse with a fleet of e-bikes and electric vehicles. This ingenuity helped set them apart and win The Reusies award this year for Most Innovative Reuse Company in the Enabling Technology sector.Resources:The RoundsThe Reusies

Can reusable packaging be convenient, cost-effective and even “smart”? Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Brian Bauer of Algramo, who shows us how his company is transforming customers’ relationship to packaging with technology, elegantly designed systems and standardization across a number of big brands. Winner of The Reusies® 2022 Most Innovative award for consumer packaged goods, Algramo is proving its success in Chilean and British markets, with an eye toward expanding worldwide. To keep costs low for consumers and reduce environmental impacts, Algramo takes into account every part of the system from travel to water consumption, to the reusable packaging itself – which means their products offset emissions after just one refill.Resources: AlgramoThe ReusiesAlgramo’s innovative refillable pouches

Electronics pose a special challenge when it comes to waste. Many people don’t know how to properly dispose of their old computers and cell phones, which can end up unused in drawers, or worse yet, releasing toxins in landfills. Others don’t have access to them to begin with. Enter Human-I-T, reuse innovator and Reuse Community of the Year at the 2022 Reusies. They put more than 60,000 refurbished electronics a year into the hands of those who need them most – while preventing these devices from polluting waste streams. Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Gabe Middleton, co-founder and CEO of what some call “the Goodwill of electronics,” to explore what social entrepreneurship looks like in practice. Resources: Human-I-T The Reusies

Upstream's latest Indisposable Live panel is now available as a podcast!This engaging discussion on the New Reuse Economy features Upstream CEO & Chief Solutioneer Matt Prindiville, Anita Schwartz (WSP USA) and Crystal Dreisbach (Don’t Waste Durham / Green to Go NC), and was hosted by Upstream's Chief Strategy Officer, Priscilla Johnson. Learn from these thought leaders why reuse beats single-use on every measure – even when accounting for environmental impacts from transit and washing – and the vision for how we can get there, through creative engineering, policy, and community efforts that serve as models nationwide. The livestream first aired in conjunction with the publication of Upstream’s latest white paper, “The New Reuse Economy: how reuse systems and services will revolutionize how we consume” which you can read in the resources below.Resources: Upstream’s latest paper: The New Reuse Economy: How reuse systems and services will revolutionize how we consumeYouTube recording of Envisioning the New Reuse EconomyDon’t Waste DurhamGreen to Go NCWSPUpstream’s Strategic Direction Statement

Join our newest host, Upstream Chief Strategy Officer Priscilla Johnson, as she sits down with Dave Ford, founder of Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN) for a wide-ranging discussion on national and international reuse and climate solutions. The two cover current and future plastics treaties, companies that are stepping up to the plate, organizations pressing for urgent action to confront the climate crisis – and what it all means for our planet’s future. On a scale of 1-10, how ambitious are current global efforts on reuse? Tune in and find out.Resources: Ocean Plastics Leadership Network | Building Capacity For Plastics Crisis Intervention (opln.org)COP27: Delivering for people and the planet | United NationsUNEA 5.2: Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Plastic Pollution Treaty

Prompted by the enormous amount of single-use plastic waste at stadiums and in the locker room, professional baseball player and environmental advocate Chris Dickerson co-founded Players for the Planet with teammate Jack Cassel. Chris sits down with host Matt Prindiville to talk about the bringing together athletes as advocates and the platform they have to influence change, as well as the challenges of endeavoring to make America’s favorite pastime sustainable for the future.Resources:Players for the Planet The Players AllianceReuse Wins at Events resource pageReuse Wins at Events livestream

Kristy Drutman is an environmental justice advocate and Founder & Creator of Browngirl Green, a media platform and podcast committed to promoting diversity & inclusion in the environmental field as well as creative solutions to the climate crisis. And she’s also hosting The Reusies this year! Tune into an uplifting conversation about how Kristy uses the power of social media to tell solutions-focused stories and build an engaged online community with trust and respect rather than virality as its focus. Resources: The ReusiesBrowngirl Green websiteGreen Jobs BoardBrowngirl Green on InstagramBrowngirl Green podcastClimate Week NYCOcean Plastics Leadership Network

Listen in for some real talk about the evolution of venture capital to fund sustainable solutions, with 2022 Reusies Judge Doreen Wong of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. In this episode, we explore Doreen’s unique career path from engineer to climate tech venture capital specialist – as well as her take on key issues and trends when it comes to diversity and inclusion in this powerful industry. Resources: www.thereusies.orgwww.soalliance.orgwww.seabirdventures.fund

Welcome to our 100th episode of The Indisposable Podcast! In this special celebratory conversation, our hosts Brooking Gatewood and Matt Prindiville take a reflective amble down episode lane and share some behind-the-scenes stories – like how the podcast got started with a fateful phone call to Lithuania, what it was like talking to their personal heroes, and favorite moments and insights from the first few years of this show. Though there are so many great conversations to highlight, we mention these 20 in the show:#1 A giant leap toward throw-away-free living: Miriam Gordon & Martin Borque#15 Force of nature: Diane Wilson (Unreasonable Woman) #95 Putting the “re” in “use” with William McDonough and #62 Be a Reuser, Not a Consumer: William McDonough#36 From Worm Poop to Loop: Tom Szaky’s journey into the reuse movement#82 Redesigning How We Get Groceries: Anukampa Freedom Gupta-Fonner#96 Hug a plate: plastic-free solutions for kid friendly dining: Dr. Manasa Mantravadi#80 Pioneering Reuse Down Under: A conversation with KeepCup: Abigail Forsyth#88 Setting the standard for reuse: Amy Larkin and Claudette Juska#59 Envisioning and Investing in the Waste-Free World: Ron Gonen#45 Changing the narrative: Environmental justice and plastic production: Juan Macias, Mary Aguilera and Sylvia McKenzie#56 Citizen Science for a World Without Waste: Sybil Bullock, Laura Hernandez, Nirere Sadrach, Mark Penalver, Jake with the Climate Reality Project, and Thara and Nina of ECOTON & River Warriors#21 Running for change with Sam Bencheghib#3 Plastic-free mermaids: Kate Nelson#64 Making Art to Make a Difference: Ben Von Wong#24 Once upon a beautiful disruption: Brian Fitzgerald & Tommy Crawford#89 Organizing for a Reusable Future: Doug Calem, Dawn Rodriguez & Alejandra Warren#27 From white environmentalism to anti-racism: Brooking Gatewood & Matt Prindiville#76 The Beer Store Vision: Reuse and Refill for the Beverage Industry: Rachel Morier#52 Embodied Activism: The What, Why, and How: Si ThackerOther Resources: Sign up for Upstream’s newsletter and never miss an episodeInterview Connections: podcast booking agencyStory hacking with The Dancing Foxes

GreenBiz Group is a media and events company that’s working to accelerate a just transition to a clean economy. Not only do they do cutting edge journalism at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability, they also organize incredible events – like the Circularity Conference – that bring together business, non-profit and government leaders to learn, network and catalyze new opportunities. They’re also a 2022 Reusies partner and Suz Okie is on the judge’s panel this year. Host Matt Prindiville sits down with Suz and Jon Smieja and discusses pivoting their Circularity conference during the pandemic, key trends (hint: EPR is a big one) and what we need to “unlearn” (siloed systems and the way we consume) in order to make reuse scale.Resources: GreenBiz GroupEvents at GreenBizUpstream’s vlog about Circularity 22The 3 most impactful circularity trends in 2021 | GreenbizCircularity requires collaboration from companies, large and small | GreenbizThe Indisposable Podcast, Episode #93: Coalition Building in Seattle

Poonam Watine, 2022 Reusies Judge and WEF knowledge expert, is helping curate some exciting new networks and resource hubs to support the scaling of reuse across the globe. Tune in to learn about the Global Plastic Innovation Network, the brand new Reuse Portal, and more – and how all of it hinges on local action to spur global momentum for the new reuse economy. Resources: WEF's Reuse PortalUplink innovation platform

Global Plastic Pacts bring together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain to work at the ground level to build a new circular economy – one that eliminates unnecessary plastic and emphasizes reuse and refill. This week’s guest Marta Longhurst, Manager of the Plastics Pact Initiative at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMAF) discusses the momentum the Pacts are building and the critical role they play in creating platforms for cross-sector alignment and collaboration.Resources: The Ellen MacArthur FoundationAbout the Plastics Pact NetworkEMAF on the elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packagingThe New Plastics Economy VisionUpstream Publication: Infrastructure to scale the New Reuse Economy

“At the end of the day, people and the planet are connected,” says Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, “And the lasting impact between the two are not going to be felt by us, but by our children, and our children's children.” In this episode, Brooking Gatewood sits down with Dr. Mantravadi – pediatrician, mother, advocate, 2022 Reusies® Judge, and founder of the stainless steel container company Ahimsa - who set out to change the systems that expose children to harmful plastic food packaging and pollute the planet.Resources:AhimsaThe Unwrapped ProjectEnvironmental Working GroupPlastic Free RestaurantsUpstream’s Learning Hub: Reuse in Schools

We welcome back the legendary William McDonough, architect and vanguard of the circular economy to The Indisposable Podcast. (He is also returning as a judge and will be presenting at The Reusies this year!). Journey with Bill as he describes how the revelatory intersections of science, art, math, and nature influenced his approach to design, sustainability, and ultimately – a model for the new reuse economy.Resources: mcdonough.comCradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make ThingsThe UpcycleBe a Reuser, Not a Consumer: 2021 Indisposable Podcast interview with William McDonough

Hollywood actor & director turned Solutioneer John Charles Meyer is the Executive Director of Plastic Free Restaurants – a new nonprofit that helps restaurants, schools, and other US organizations who want financial and technical assistance to shift from single-use to reuse. Plastic Free Restaurants has already helped keep millions of pieces of plastic out of our waste stream. Listen in to find out how, and how you can help! Resources:Plastic Free RestaurantsFind Plastic Free Restaurants Around the USPPC’s Flip the Script CampaignRethink Disposable’s Case Studies & ResourcesRecent NPR piece on the impact of PFAS chemicals Upstream’s Reuse Wins report Upstream’s Reuse Outreach PlaybookUpstream’s learning hub on Reuse in Food ServiceThe #SkipTheStuff policy campaign

Reuse Seattle is a public-private partnership among the City of Seattle; the city’s major sports and entertainment venues; restaurants and businesses; PR3; and a growing list of new partners. They’re working to create practical solutions and standardized systems to help the city’s businesses and residents move from single-use to reuse – making it accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone. They’re also one of the most recent to join Upstream’s national network of reuse coalitions. Meet Reuse Seattle’s leaders Stephanie Thomas of Cascadia Consulting and Pat Kaufman of Seattle Public Utilities as they describe the city’s exciting evolution toward reuse for all – and the power of partnerships in getting there.Resources: Reuse SeattleCascadia ConsultingSeattle Public UtilitiesPR3r.CupGoBoxUpstream podcast about PR3: Setting the Standard for ReuseAbout Upstream’s Community CoalitionsCelebrating the Visionary Sego Jackson on his Retirement

Caren McNamara of Conscious Container and Matt Swihart of Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery were both inspired by seeing reuse/refill operations in action on their worldwide travels – and wanted to bring these systems to life in the U.S. Now they are pioneering beverage refill in the beer and wine industries. In this week’s episode, they share both the enthusiasm and challenges they have encountered, plus why the economic and environmental benefits make it all worthwhile – especially if we can get a national bottle bill on board. Resources:Conscious ContainerDouble Mountain Brewery & CideryUpstream’s Reuse Hub: Deposit Refund Systems and Refillable ContainersThe New Reuse Economy: How the Beverage Sector's Re-embrace of Refill Will Transform the Industry

In this special episode honoring Juneteenth, we talk about environmental justice and how the one-way, throw-away, linear economy doesn’t just trash the planet, it destroys lives and communities as well - especially communities of color in sacrifice zones here in the United States and around the globe. Learn insights from two esteemed leaders in the environmental justice movement – Dr. Ana Baptista, Professor at the Milano School of Policy, Management & Environment and Co-Director of the Tishman Environment & Design Center at The New School; and Jose Bravo, Executive Director of the Just Transition Alliance – as they discuss how systemic racism, historical and ongoing, continues to bring the most devastating climate impacts to people of color, what effective allyship looks like, and how reuse fits in as part of a holistic solution to addressing this legacy and bringing restorative justice to frontline communities.Resources:Milano School of Policy, Management & EnvironmentTishman Environment & Design CenterJust Transition AllianceExploring the History of Environmental Justice to Support Anti-RacismIndisposable Organizing: Black Leadership on the Front Lines

In celebration of World Oceans Day, host Brooking Gatewood sits down with National Reuse Network member and Director of Programs for Oceanic Global, Cassia Patel, to learn about our oceans and some of the collaborative organizing happening around the world to help protect them. We also talk about Oceanic Global’s exciting Blue Standard certification and training program to help businesses choose ocean-friendly solutions, including ditching plastic!Resources:World Oceans DayOceanic Global's Blue Standard Certification

This week, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (or AAPI Heritage Month), we talk about AAPI leadership and community-building with Grace Lee of ReThink Disposable, a program of the Clean Water Fund, that has led to some of the most essential pilot projects fostering change in the reuse movement today. Raised in Los Angeles by scientists from Taiwan, Grace has a long history of leadership for environmental stewardship in California, including her work leading ReThink’s groundbreaking business engagement efforts in Los Angeles and Oakland. She sits down with Brooking Gatewood for an honest chat about how her experiences as an Asian American have shaped her life and work to protect our earth, and shares stories of AAPI restaurant owners leading the way toward indisposable dining. Resources:ReThink DisposableFollow ReThink Disposable on Instagram: @thefutureisreusableRegister for ReThink’s May 31 webinar: Yes to Reuse! Meet Reuse Champions of Alameda CountyWatch: recording of Reusables Win in SF livestream (featuring Grace Lee and Anh Nguyen of Cam Anh Deli)Visit Cam Anh Deli (Oakland, CA) and try their delicious banh mi!Reuse Business Profile Summary: Restaurants featuring Pan-Asian or Pacific Island CuisinesUpstream's Roadmap to Reuse Resource Library with other Restaurant Profiles