What upcycling means – the definition of upcycling
So the dictionary definition states as follows: Reuse discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.
So as an example we can take an old jam jar that we would otherwise throw out, glue some clay in the shape of flowers onto the side of the jar, paint them and the jar giving you have a nice stationery holder which to some could be worth $10, far more than the cost of the clay, paint and even a brand new jar.
When did upcycling start? Who invented it?
The term Upcycling was first coined by Reiner Pliz, a German engineer, in 1994. He noted that recycling resulted in producing products of lesser value and/or quality so a new term to describe taking a product and changing it to make it better or valuable was needed.
So breaking off the ‘re’ prefix from recycling, as we are not making like for like anymore, and adding the prefix ‘up’ as we are making something better or of higher value to make the new term ‘upcycling’.
Why is upcycling so popular?
Upcycling has gained traction mainly at first with the extremely eco-focused. As time passed and we became more aware of recycling and the needs of our planet then more and more people became interested in upcycling as a means of recycling but without any major breaking down and remaking into new things.
The younger creative types find the prospect of upcycling a positive move to not only save the planet but as a means of generating income as well as generally upcycling creates items of equal or greater value.
Why upcycling is better than recycling?
Upcycling is better than recycling as recycling uses energy to make the process work, even though the energy needed is often much less than when making things from scratch it’s still required to some degree.
The products produced by way of recycling are often of lesser value and/or quality which means the process becomes uneconomical and unsustainable after a period.
Upcycling on the other hand is most often done by hand thus eliminating most if not all of the heavy industrial processes needed to recycle.
Upcycling also creates products of value, which in some cases may be purchased or received in lieu of acquiring something new which needed to be manufactured using modern processes which contribute to factory emissions, energy consumption, and generated waste.
How upcycling helps the environment
Upcycling helps the environment by reducing the amount of waste that gets tossed out each and every day. It reduces the recycling burden by taking items out of the loop at the beginning of the process. It reduces the need to use heavy machinery and factories to process the materials into base forms to be remade into recycled products, which in turn lowers emissions and overall carbon footprints.
Upcycling, more importantly, educates and shows people that trash is not just trash but free materials that can be saved and used to make things of beauty. These things once made extend the life of the original item without the need for any major processing.
Why upcycling is important?
Upcycling is important because many people see recycling as something mundane and unimportant, they don’t see the bigger picture. Once they see something upcycled they begin to appreciate the value of the crafting and effort used to save materials from ending up being ground down or even worse, dumped in landfills.
Once we fully embrace upcycling we will see a reduction in consumer demand for wasteful, damaging items and will see a return to demand for eco-friendly, sustainable purchases.
Why is upcycling sustainable?
Upcycling is sustainable as it saves the need to use fossil fuels to recreate new things. We take what has already been produced and make it better. Energy is used as well as other materials when upcycling but at an almost negligible rate when compared to regular recycling.
Upcycling reduces emissions, reduces the need to source new materials like metals, ores, and timber, meaning the land is left untouched rather than deforested and strip-mined, and reduces our need to source materials from abroad, also reducing transportation costs and emissions.
Is upcycling profitable?
Yes, very much so. Profit margins range from 100% for simple, small pieces of work to over 1,000% profit from more complex pieces. The beauty of upcycling is that it can be done anywhere, such as your home or garden shed.
There are many websites that sell and promote upcycled products, the most popular being Etsy. Sellers on Etsy with good products can easily make in excess of $80-100k a year.
Plastic upcycling
Upcycling plastic can be lucrative, especially if you are making household items like kitchen tidies, stationery holders, etc. If you have styrofoam then you can make a lot more crafting for the roleplayer/wargaming market where gaming terrain like mines, dungeons, and villages can sell for hundreds of dollars and do so regularly. Check this article here to find out more.
Aluminum can upcycling
If you use a lot of canned products then you may be in luck here. Instead of tossing those cans into a bag for recycling why not use them to make flower pots? Or maybe a kitchen tidy? How about a large industrial tower for a wargame? Instead of getting pennies per pound for your cans, upcycle them and get a few dollars for each one! Check this article here to find out more.
Cardboard and Paper upcycling
Cardboard is so versatile it’s a wonder we toss any of it away at all. The humble cardboard box can become a child dollhouse, a funky Italian-style house that is a lamp, a desk tidy. A sheet of cardboard can become a flower wall hanging, a picture frame, a clock, and much more. Check this article here to find out more.
Paper is also vastly under recycled with the US only recycling about 10% of all recyclable paper, here is an article where you can use your paper to make money rather than toss it into a landfill somewhere,
Glass upcycling
Glass is no exception, with over 30 billion glass jars, bottles, and other containers being thrown out in the US alone, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to readily available materials.
Glass can be upcycled into lamps, drinking glasses, candle jars, micro gardens, wind chimes, bird feeders, and a lot more besides. Check this article here to find out more.
Conclusion
Upcycling is a way of taking something and making it better and/or more valuable but at the same time being a sustainable practice because of the positive net effect on our environment.
It’s a way to reduce our impact on the planet while becoming more thoughtful and aware of our effects and what we can do to mitigate these issues.
We can also use this opportunity to make money and spread the word, making upcycling a fun, eco-friendly, and profitable way to live.