Upcycling
Encyclopedia
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.
The first recorded use of the term upcycling was by Reiner Pilz of Pilz GmbH in an interview by Thornton Kay of Salvo in 1994.
and Johannes F. Hartkemeyer. The concept was later incorporated by William McDonough
and Michael Braungart
in their 2002 book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
. They state that the goal of upcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials by making use of existing ones. This reduces the consumption of new raw materials when creating new products. Reducing the use of new raw materials can result in a reduction of energy usage, air pollution
, water pollution
and even greenhouse gas
emissions.
Upcycling is the opposite of downcycling
, which is the other half of the recycling
process. Downcycling involves converting materials and products into new materials of lesser quality. Most recycling involves converting or extracting useful materials from a product and creating a different product or material.
For example, during the recycling process of plastics other than those used to create bottles, many different types of plastics are mixed together, resulting in a hybrid. This hybrid is used in the manufacturing of plastic lumber applications. However, unlike the engineered polymer ABS which hold properties of several plastics well, recycled plastics suffer phase-separation that causes structural weakness in the final product.
In developing countries, where new raw materials are often expensive, upcycling is commonly practiced, largely due to impoverished conditions.
Upcycling has seen an increase in use due to its current marketability and the lowered cost of reused materials. Inhabitat, a blog devoted to sustainability and design, holds an annual upcycling design competition with entries coming from around the globe.
In recent years, the US-based company TerraCycle
has brought upcycling into mainstream by creating partnerships with major brands, such J&J, Kraft Foods, BIC, and Aveeno, to upcycle their packaging into new items, all while donating money to schools and charity. Such a large scale operation is only possible with the help of thousands of consumers around the world committed to divert the (otherwise) garbage from the landfill, who send them their used products and packaging.
Upcycling has shown significant growth across the United States. For example, the number of products on Etsy
tagged with the word "upcycled" increased from about 7,900 in January 2010 to nearly 30,000 a year later--an increase of 275 percent. As of October 2011, that number stood at nearly 167,000, an additional increase of 450%. In addition, an online retailer called Hipcycle is now dedicated to upcycled products, offering “products that are as attractive, durable, and otherwise as desirable as traditional equivalent products.”
The first recorded use of the term upcycling was by Reiner Pilz of Pilz GmbH in an interview by Thornton Kay of Salvo in 1994.
We talked about the impending EU Demolition Waste Streams directive. "Recycling," he said, "I call it downcycling. They smash bricks, they smash everything. What we need is upcycling where old products are given more value not less." He despairs of the German situation and recalls the supply of a large quantity of reclaimed woodblock from an English supplier for a contract in Nuremberg while just down the road a load of similar blocks was scrapped. In the road outside his premises, was the result of the Germans' demolition waste recycling. It was a pinky looking aggregate with pieces of handmade brick, old tiles and discernible parts of useful old items mixed with crushed concrete. Is this the future for Europe?
Background
The upcycling concept was also the theme of the 1999 book with the same title written by Gunter PauliGunter Pauli
Gunter Pauli is a serial entrepreneur and initiator of The Blue Economy.- Life and Business :Gunter Pauli was born in 1956...
and Johannes F. Hartkemeyer. The concept was later incorporated by William McDonough
William McDonough
William Andrews McDonough is an American architect, founding principal of , co-founder of with German chemist Michael Braungart as well as co-author of also with Braungart...
and Michael Braungart
Michael Braungart
Michael Braungart is a German chemist who advocates that humans can reduce our negative environmental impact by redesigning industrial production processes...
in their 2002 book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things is a 2002 non-fiction book by German chemist Michael Braungart and U.S. architect William McDonough. It is a manifesto detailing how to achieve their Cradle to Cradle Design model. It calls for a radical change in industry: a switch from a...
. They state that the goal of upcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials by making use of existing ones. This reduces the consumption of new raw materials when creating new products. Reducing the use of new raw materials can result in a reduction of energy usage, air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
, water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
and even greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions.
Upcycling is the opposite of downcycling
Downcycling
Downcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality...
, which is the other half of the recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
process. Downcycling involves converting materials and products into new materials of lesser quality. Most recycling involves converting or extracting useful materials from a product and creating a different product or material.
For example, during the recycling process of plastics other than those used to create bottles, many different types of plastics are mixed together, resulting in a hybrid. This hybrid is used in the manufacturing of plastic lumber applications. However, unlike the engineered polymer ABS which hold properties of several plastics well, recycled plastics suffer phase-separation that causes structural weakness in the final product.
In developing countries, where new raw materials are often expensive, upcycling is commonly practiced, largely due to impoverished conditions.
Upcycling has seen an increase in use due to its current marketability and the lowered cost of reused materials. Inhabitat, a blog devoted to sustainability and design, holds an annual upcycling design competition with entries coming from around the globe.
In recent years, the US-based company TerraCycle
TerraCycle
TerraCycle is a private U.S. small business headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, which specializes in making consumer products from pre- and post-consumer materials....
has brought upcycling into mainstream by creating partnerships with major brands, such J&J, Kraft Foods, BIC, and Aveeno, to upcycle their packaging into new items, all while donating money to schools and charity. Such a large scale operation is only possible with the help of thousands of consumers around the world committed to divert the (otherwise) garbage from the landfill, who send them their used products and packaging.
Upcycling has shown significant growth across the United States. For example, the number of products on Etsy
Etsy
Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies like beads,...
tagged with the word "upcycled" increased from about 7,900 in January 2010 to nearly 30,000 a year later--an increase of 275 percent. As of October 2011, that number stood at nearly 167,000, an additional increase of 450%. In addition, an online retailer called Hipcycle is now dedicated to upcycled products, offering “products that are as attractive, durable, and otherwise as desirable as traditional equivalent products.”
See also
- DowncyclingDowncyclingDowncycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality...
- Jury rigJury rigJury rigging refers to makeshift repairs or temporary contrivances, made with only the tools and materials that happen to be on hand. Originally a nautical term, on sailing ships a jury rig is a replacement mast and yards improvised in case of damage or loss of the original mast.-Etymology:The...
- RecyclingRecyclingRecycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
- TerraCycleTerraCycleTerraCycle is a private U.S. small business headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, which specializes in making consumer products from pre- and post-consumer materials....
- TrashionTrashionTrashion is a term for art, jewelry, fashion and objects for the home created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed elements...
- Waste hierarchyWaste hierarchyThe waste hierarchy refers to the 3 Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle, or and [ which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability. The Rs are meant to be a hierarchy, in order of importance...