Upcycling is the unique process of transforming waste – those that are categorized as “unrecyclable” – into materials that are functional and useful. The famous form of upcycling includes art-making out of waste items, which results in an incredible masterpiece. Upcycled creations can be displayed to add value to any space.
You can also upcycle waste and turn it into something with practical use. For instance, you can make a bus shelter out of a real school bus. Take it out of a junkyard, clean it, and let your creativity run through. But let’s face it, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. This being said, artists who perform upcycling also consider the aesthetic property of their work. Aside from this, here are some things to consider:
Recyclability and reusability. Determine if the upcycled item can be recycled into an even upgraded form when it no longer serves its purpose in its original form.
Longevity. Find out the duration of the upcycled material before it ends up in the landfill.
Volume – know how much volume this upcycling activity can contribute to the thinning of the waste in the landfill.
Replacement. Recognize whether the upcycled item will replace the use of new items.
Education. Determine whether the upcycling activity will inspire other people to change their bad habits into good.
Utility. Know whether the upcycled material is going to be useful.
It may be hard to fulfill all of these upcycling requirements but always remember that you don’t have to look for complicated ways in order to come up with a great upcycling project.
The art of Upcycling
Art and craft projects only give you a limited chance to take advantage of the recyclable waste around you. But when it comes to upcycling, you have endless ways to get creative and turn waste into art. Take it from upcyclists who utilize e-waste to make a visual impact on the public. Her masterpiece displays recyclability using minimalist transformation.
People have been upcycling fabrics and clothes ever since time immemorial. Making of vibrant and colorful quilts using the excess fabric is a timeless and classic upcycling activity, the same way as providing a new purpose for computer monitors and old suitcases.
One of the most ideal places to get your upcycled materials in large quantities is in construction buildings. This is because old materials are a permanent part of commercial and industrial spaces. In there, you can find bottles, tires, shipping containers, timber pallets, hubcaps, aircraft parts, and a lot of other materials.
Recycling vs Upcycling
Recycling is a process that transforms the physical state of material through re-forming, melting, or purification. On the other hand, upcycling simply focuses on the art of re-using old materials. Maintaining the present physical state of material and transforming it into a practical item sounds promising. But the truth behind upcycling and recycling is they always go hand in hand, not to replace each other. In a world of overflowing waste materials, looking for ways to minimize their volume in the landfill is essential.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image from https://pixabay.com/photos/handmade-hand-craft-brush-3314244/
2nd image from https://pixabay.com/photos/upcycling-plastic-flower-art-1731010/
