How the Reuse Movement is Building a Sustainable Future
Tuesday, April 9, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
While it’s still important to recycle and build better systems for it, more recycling will not solve our growing municipal waste problem and our over-reliance on single-use products and packaging, all of which are designed to be used immediately and then thrown away. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that the first two R’s – reduce and reuse – are way more important than recycling for protecting the environment. Unlike recycling, reusable products are in constant use and conserve existing resources, instead of using new materials.
Join us Tuesday, April 9, at 6 pm for a presentation on the environmental, economic, and social benefits of transitioning from the linear, throw-away economy to one that is regenerative, circular, and equitable.
Our speaker will be Melissa Jung, who serves as Reuse Networks Manager for Upstream Solutions. Upstream is a leading change agency for the reuse movement in the US and Canada. It works to spark innovative solutions and forge strategic alliances to help people, businesses and communities shift from single use to reuse. This work includes normalizing reuse systems, growing and supporting the reuse industry, and creating an enabling policy environment for reuse. Based in Mesa, AZ, Melissa’s focuses most of her time on supporting the education and adoption of reuse systems at the local level. She networks with a large community of reuse solutioneers that are working to activate change across business and policy sectors. This includes engaging NGOs, entrepreneurs, local organizations, community leaders, and public officials.
Melissa has been involved in sustainability work for the past 10 years, with a foundation in plastic pollution science as well as a wealth of organizing and advocacy experience. She is excited about working with reuse advocates in Arizona while enjoying all the outdoors that the state has to offer.
