[INFORMATIVE] The Beauty of Upcycling

The Beauty of Upcycling

By: Pary Kholmi

What is upcycling?
The action of repurposing waste and creating something more useful and valuable is commonly known as upcycling; it involves the process of improving the functionality and the appearance of the product. Upcycling is known as a method used to avoid wasting material, and its popularity has increased over the years. Nowadays, its use has been encouraged for a variety of different reasons. Several poverty-stricken countries have been upcycling as a survival technique since they had to use what was left of their materials with no other choice. Other areas of the world have been upcycling to reduce excessive waste and minimize pollution. Several others tend to upcycle as a hobby and a form of art, particularly teenagers who have been handed old clothing, wishing to make them more fashionable and creative.

The History of Upcycling
Upcycling has been practiced since ancient times, considering it is becoming more popular in modern times. Repurposing waste has been done thousands of years before the term “upcycling” was even created. An example of upcycling from earlier times was the use of "Spolia," materials that were reused from older buildings into new constructions. This ancient practice was common in the Roman Empire. Upcycling also occurred during the World War, when materials such as cloth, socks, and other necessities were reused due to their scarcity. During World War 2, a “Make Do and Mend” campaign was initiated by the British Government as a result of the lack of resources. This campaign encouraged people to use the resources they already owned for as long as they could last to reduce clothing consumption. The practice of upcycling has been so helpful and beneficial that it is still being used today. Even today’s larger companies use recycled material in manufacturing. These brands include Adidas, H&M, Patagonia, Nike, Dell, and more. Upcycling helps us create a healthier planet for us and the future generations yet to come.

What is the Difference Between Upcycling and Recycling?
Upcycling occurs when discarded material is reused to create a product with more value and an opportunity for a different use. It is the process of uniquely transforming waste into an item that can be used until the material is completely worn out. On the other hand, recycling occurs when waste is turned into reusable material, which can be used to create a completely different item. The material can often go through this recycling process multiple times.

How is upcycling beneficial for the environment?
Upcycling is very helpful in terms of supporting the environment. To begin with, upcycling reduces the need for the production of materials; when this is reduced, it leads to less hazardous waste production, air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gasses. Furthermore, upcycling can decrease the amount of valuable natural resources and energy used to create new items during the manufacturing process. Yearly, 2.1 billion tons of waste is produced all around the world. It is predicted for that number to grow even larger and reach up to 3.4 billion tons of waste by the year 2050, which can be environmentally harmful. Although upcycling can help lower that large amount of waste.

Will Upcycling Reward You?
Upcycling can be rewarding in many different ways, including socially, environmentally, and especially personally. Repurposing your waste can make your clothing even more fashionable while also boosting your creativity simultaneously. Creativity is a skill that is highly useful in school and the workplace; upcycling is one of the many ways you can become more creative as it forces you to think outside of the box. As you gain a new hobby and expand your wide range of abilities, you also get the opportunity to create unique things that can’t be found anywhere else—masterpieces created by you. Another benefit of upcycling is that it can save you a lot of money since you found a way to use your materials till they can’t be used anymore, rather than just wasting perfectly good material only because it looks “ugly” or because it is "old." At the end of the day, you will be proud of your magnificent creation and the many benefits that came along with making it.

Conclusion
Anything can be upcycled as long as you can use it more than once; all you need is a little bit of imagination, creativity, and the willingness to give your materials a second chance. Given that you already own the materials you need to upcycle, you can get started today. Upcycling can help you both reduce and reuse at the same time. Repurposing your materials can be a great way to reduce waste, to help the environment, and to have fun overall!


Works Cited
Adams, Helen Sydney. “Top 10 Companies Using Recycled Materials in Manufacturing.” Manufacturingdigital.com, 25 May 2022, manufacturingdigital.com/procurement-and-supply-chain/top-10-companies-using-recycled-materials-in-manufacturing.

Future Learn. “The Benefits of Upcycling.” FutureLearn, FutureLearn, www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/upcycling-for-change-from-green-ideas-to-startup-businesses/0/steps/67684.

“Research: Why People Really Buy Upcycled Products.” Harvard Business Review, 24 Apr. 2024, hbr.org/2024/04/research-why-people-really-buy-upcycled-products#:~:text=In%20an%20analysis%20of%20consumer. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.

“Upcycling: A Walk through History.” REFASH, 17 July 2023, refash.in/blogs/blog/upcycling-a-walk-through-history#:~:text=During%20World%20War%20II%2C%20the.

“What Does Upcycling Mean and Why Is It so Important? What Is the Difference between Recycling and Upcycling?” Unisan UK, 18 June 2020, www.unisanuk.com/what-does-upcycling-mean-and-why-is-it-so-important/.

“Why We Should Upcycle before We Recycle.” Brock University, brocku.ca/sustainability/2020/04/02/why-we-should-upcycle-before-we-recycle/.