I have to be honest, when I started this piece I thought when you “reuse” something the term was called recycling. I thought all recycling was created equal….something old is new again, everything fell under that umbrella. We are reducing the environmental footprint by recycling, but in actuality, it is when we UPCYCLE we are creating less impact on the environment.
Ok, so what is UPCYCLE?! According to UpcycleThat.com, “The act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. In doing so, the finished product often becomes more practical, valuable and beautiful than what it previously was.”
UPCYCLE is about CREATIVE REUSE….who better to think about the creative use of old products than quirky yours truly! When we UPCYCLE a piece of textile, plastic, paper you are NOT breaking down the material (like you do in recycling). The material is the exact same thing you started with…you just turned it into something creative and new. When I think of an upcycled piece I think about a pair of jeans made into something hip and fresh. I found some super fun ideas on Pinterest below!
I am thinking this upcycled chair will stand the test of time in my boy’s game room. I mean, jeans were originally created as durable, work pants. (later post! 😉) This is all still the same material you started with (i.e. jeans & chair), but now it has creative use with the same original quality.
5 Benefits of Upcycling!!
*according to PaulsRubbish.com.au
- Conserves the environment. Upcycling reduces the amount of waste that is dumped in landfills.
- Conserves the limited resources.
- Reduce the cost of production.
- Supporting local industries.
- Encourages creativity and innovation.
Now you are thinking, “Ok, what is RECYCLE?” The term recycle boils down to this-“Recycling takes consumer materials — mostly plastic, paper, metal, and glass — and breaks them down so their base materials can be remade into a new consumer product, often of lesser quality.” Hipcycle.com
Cliff Notes
-Upcycling is AWESOME and a GREENER version of recycling!
-Upcycling results in the reduction of consumption of raw material (Earth’s resources) and energy!
-Upcycling is the ultimate in REUSE…no heavy lifting (heavy machinery) or wasted resources…..yippee!!
***Time to get creative with the old items that you may not utilize anymore. Time to make some cha-cha-cha changes! xo-LLC
Interested in learning more?
Huffington Post: Beyond Recycling!
…and of course leaving you with this amazingness!!!
xoxo-LC
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