bemoreeco

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling has been around for ages. It’s only now that it’s catching some serious steam. At it’s heart, it’s the process of turning something that would normally be disposed and using it to create something of greater value. Typical examples include jewellery, furniture and even fashion.

The difference between recycling and upcycling, is recycled products are commonly those that are reused at lesser value. This is important, because it’s easier to build businesses upon upcycling - especially when every product has a story. Done well, we could soon see thousands of talented designers specialising in using disposable products from clothes, cars, furniture and almost anything else - and turning them into premium products.

11 Great Examples of Upcycling

As upcycling really begins taking off, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing better and better examples, most more exciting and ambitious than the next. Here are 11 of the best examples of upcycling I can find.:

Sustainablog - 6 Creative Upcycling Projects

Crafting a Green World - Girl Reconstructed: Upcycling Old Clothes

TreeHugger - How to Upcycling Gift Cards

TreeHugger - Upcycling Contest

LifeGoggles - The Largest Ever Upcycling Program

StumbleUpon - Upcycling Websites

Alternative Consumer - Skateboard Furniture - Upcycling?

HowCanIRecycleThis? - Turning Old Wires Into Wearable Art

Great Green Goods - Recycled Bracelet from inner tubes and flip flops

HippyShopper - Upcycling: Make a Lamp from an old blender

HippyShopper - Upcycling: Yield Shelving

What to look out for in the future?

So what’s next? In short, probably bigger and better. At the moment there are many great companies which are specialising in upcycling clothes and furniture. I would love to see even more ambition and creativity when upcycling. Imagine the products which really mean a lot to people for a small amount of time. Take cars, computers, mobile phones, clothes, sofas and imaging what can be created from them.

It will be interesting to see if the trend leans towards upcycling specialists who people call upon when they want an old product upcycled into something new, or upcycled products at retail. Personally, I hope both.

The biggest challenge facing upcycling at the moment is that most people don’t realise it even exists. I suspect it only needs one big upcycled product that catches on before everyone can do it.

Verdict?

I love the idea of upcycling. Not only does it reduce waste but it changes the image of recycled products from  the cheap option into the more loved premium option. That means more money, more growth and more upcycling.