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 Ithaca
• Campaign against artificial turf at Cornell 
• BYO-US Reduces
• Chart-Reuse
• Zero Waste Chef
• Skip the Stuff campaign materials
• Episode 160: From cafeteria to community: students launch reuse
• Chart-Reuse Case Studies