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PPC Webinar | Solution Series: Reuse Wins in Food Service, Stadiums, and Beyond

July 21 , 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EDT

For a world overrun by single-use plastics, reuse systems offer a clear path forward. Reuse systems can drastically cut plastic use and pollution and build local economies. Non-toxic, plastic-free reuse is the ultimate solution to protect our health—but is not without its challenges.

On July 21, Plastic Pollution Coalition will host a webinar to present exciting reuse applications in schools and universities, senior living facilities, stadiums and other event spaces. We will also discuss the current barriers for implementing and expanding reuse, and how individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers can support the transition. 

Joining the discussion will be Alison Cove, Founder & CEO, USEFULL; Crystal Dreisbach, CEO, Upstream; and Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, Founder & CEO, Ahimsa. The webinar will be moderated by Madison Dennis, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Plastic Pollution Coalition.

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Date: Tues, July 21
Time: 2-3 pm PT | 5-6 pm ET
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Panelists

Alison Cove, Founder/CEO, USEFULL

Alison Cove (she/her) is founder and CEO of USEFULL, the only plastic-free takeout container solution for higher education and senior living dining. USEFULL provides tracking technology and durable containers that schools need to operate a successful zero-waste takeout program that eliminates waste, saves water, and reduces emissions to meet sustainability goals. Alison created the USEFULL stainless steel reuse solution to solve a personal dilemma; like many others, she loves takeout but felt guilty about the trail of waste it left behind. In the research that led Alison to found USEFULL, one key takeaway emerged—you can’t solve a plastic problem with more plastic. To galvanize reuse in the healthiest, most sustainable way possible, Alison is committed to eliminating plastic and single-use packaging from the takeout streams of university and senior living dining, protecting students and residents from microplastics, and driving lasting behavior change around reuse.

Crystal Dreisbach, CEO, Upstream

Crystal Dreisbach (she/her) has spent 15 years developing the pathway for reuse to transform from niche alternative to economic norm. As an early operator of reuse systems, she developed first-of-its-kind solutions including tech-enabled logistics, commercial washing infrastructure, and municipal integration models. Her core insight: treating reusable packaging as circulating assets—not disposable commodities—builds economically resilient systems while addressing the climate crisis. She now leads Upstream, creating the enabling environment for the reuse economy to scale through policy change, financing, and cultural transformation.

Manasa Mantravadi, Pediatrician & Founder/CEO, Ahimsa

Dr. Manasa Mantravadi (she/her) is the visionary founder of Ahimsa and the Conscious Cafeteria Program, dedicated to transforming our food system into a safer, healthier, and more sustainable foundation for generations to come. She is a practicing pediatrician and mother who is leading the shift from single-use, heat-and-serve school lunches to nourishing, sustainable models built on reusable foodware and scratch cooking, restoring value and integrity to school meals. In her work, she bridges the medical, business, policy, and education sectors, uniting these worlds to drive meaningful change and improve children’s health outcomes by transforming the cafeteria into a classroom. Recognized by Forbes as a Next 1000 Entrepreneur and by INC. as a top 200 Female Founder, Dr. Mantravadi has been featured in national press including The Washington Post and Good Morning America. She leverages her medical expertise in pediatric environmental and culinary medicine and industry insights to lead this movement at both local and national levels.

Moderator

Madison Dennis, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Madison Dennis (she/her) is Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager for Plastic Pollution Coalition. Madison has over seven years of experience working on environmental advocacy campaigns, from local grassroots efforts to protect marine life and enhance clean energy, to the international negotiations for a strong UN Plastics Treaty. In her work, Madison prioritizes systems based, collaborative solutions that center the impacted communities and environment. Madison has a BS in Global Resource Systems from the University of British Columbia.

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