Upcycling

Upcycling, or secondary use, is the process of transforming old, unnecessary things into something qualitatively new. Upcycling can change the original function of an item and create additional value. It appears due to the fact that the creator invests his idea, efforts and resources in the creation of the product.

The process of upcycling differs from recycling in that it is not a complete recycling or destruction of the product, as is the case with the latter. For example, in the recycling process, old paper products are turned into a substance that can be used to make new household paper. Upcycling goes the other way and involves, for example, turning an old box or restaurant menu into holiday cards. Secondary use does not require production costs and industrial processing. This is a method available in everyday life.

ALSO, UPCYCLING DIFFERS FROM RECYCLING IN THAT IN THE FIRST CASE, THE GOAL IS TO MINIMIZE WASTE, AND IN THE SECOND, TO CREATE THINGS WITH ADDED VALUE.

The already mentioned recycling, or processing, is criticized by some ecologists and scientists for turning waste into lower quality raw materials. There is a separate term for this - downcycling. In addition, the processing process consumes valuable resources: water, energy, fuel, etc. At the same time, upcycling takes the original thing to a "higher level", changing its function and increasing its quality.

Some categories of waste cannot be converted into a higher quality product, only recycled. However, clothing is a type of raw material for which secondary use is an affordable option. As a result, upcycling for clothes is the creation of new things from already used ones.