All about upcycling

Upcycling is a creative and sustainable practice of transforming or repurposing waste materials or unwanted items into new products of higher value or quality. Idea is to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. It encourages individuals and businesses to find innovative ways to reuse materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. By upcycling, we can extend the lifespan of objects and reduce the demand for new resources and energy-intensive manufacturing processes.

The process

Upcycling can take many forms and can involve a wide range of materials. Some common examples include:

  • Repurposing: Giving new functionality to an item by using it in a different way. For instance, transforming old wooden pallets into furniture or converting glass bottles into decorative vases.
  • Upgrading: Enhancing the quality or aesthetics of an item. For example, adding embellishments to a plain shirt, or painting and distressing an old piece of furniture to give it a fresh look.
  • Combining: Mixing different materials or objects to create something new. This could involve using various scraps of fabric to make a patchwork quilt or constructing artwork from discarded metal pieces.
  • Refurbishing: Restoring or repairing items to their original condition or improving their functionality. This could involve refurbishing old electronics or vintage furniture.

  • Environmental benefits: Upcycling helps reduce waste and minimizes the need for new raw materials.
  • Conservation of resources: By extending the lifespan of existing items, upcycling conserves resources such as water, timber, minerals, and fossil fuels, which are typically used in the production of new goods.
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: The production of new products often involves significant greenhouse gas emissions. By upcycling, we can avoid these emissions and the carbon footprint associated with transportation and distribution of new goods.
  • Creativity and innovation:It provides an opportunity to explore alternative uses for items that would otherwise be discarded, fostering a sense of creativity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving to transform waste materials into new and unique products.
  • Economic benefits:Upcycling can have economic advantages by creating opportunities to use old things to create new things.
  • Education and awareness: By engaging in upcycling projects, individuals and communities become more mindful of their consumption patterns, waste generation, and environmental impact.

    Overall, upcycling promotes a circular economy mindset, where resources are valued and utilized to their fullest potential.

    • Recycling Upcycling
    Recycling involves the destruction of waste in order to create something new Upcycling takes waste and creates something new from it in its current state.
    Not everything can be upcycled and it is important to know when to recycle and upcycle. It can often be done in simple and easy projects and doesn’t require a ton of energy to manufacture.

    What you will need

    One old t-shirt and a pair of Scissors

    1. Wash shirt
    2. Cut off arms

    		 Step 1

    3. Cut a deep v in neck
    *It should look like a tank top

    		Step 2

    4. Cut off bottom hem
    5. Cut the bottom into strips that are about 2 inches long
    * The longer and thinner the strips, the stronger the bag wil be

    		Step 3

    6. Tie each strip to the coressponding one on the other side in double knots

    		Step 4
    Step 4

    You will need:


  • Washed and empty plastic water bottle
  • Lighter
  • Metal skewer
  • Scissors
  • Yarn
  • Soil
  • Seeds



    • Instructions:
  • Cut water bottle into two parts right below the label
  • Use the lighter to melt the cap while its on the top half and use the skewer to make a hole in the melted area
  • Pull a piece of yarn through the hole so half of it is in the top and the other half is hanging outside
  • Fill the bottom part with water
  • Flip the top upside down so the cap faces downward and put it in the bottom half of the bottle so the string is in the water
  • Add soil to the upside down top half of the bottle, making sure all of the yarn is covered
  • Plant seeds in the soil
  • Decorate your planter if you want!

    		•
    Step 4

    You will need:


  • Craft knife
  • Wine corks (number may vary based on size of board)
  • Hot glue
  • A background board (could be cardboard or a picture frame)
  • Paint (optional)
  • String



    • Instructions:
  • Paint the background (optional)
  • Cut all of the corks into circular slices
  • Glue the flat part of the cork pieces to the board
  • Attach string to the back of your board to hang up
  • All done! Now you can pin anything to your new board!

    • Step 1 Step 2

    Mood Boards help you refine your ideas and communicate your ideas to others!

    You will need:


  • Old recycled Magazines
  • Recycled piece of Cardboard
  • Pair of Scissors
  • Glue/ glue stick
  • Mod podge (optional)
  • Markers (Optional)



    • Instructions:
  • Brainstorm your theme. You’ll soon find inspiration
  • Collect your elements and existing material
  • Match mood qualities to content
  • Curate your board
  • Cut selected pictures from Magazines
  • Arrange and paste on the cardboard
  • Decorate further with markers (optional)
  • Cover with Mod Podge to protect (optional)
  • All done! Now you can display it where you want!!

    • Step 2
    Step 2 Step 2

    A bioenzyme is produced by microbes when a particular microbe is placed in the right biological environment - right temperature and correct food source

    You will need:


  • 3 parts fruits peels or flowers
  • 1 part Brown Sugar
  • 10 parts water
  • sticker label(optional)



    • Instructions:
  • Mix everything in an airtight screw-on lid plastic container and store in a dark corner in your kitchen.
  • Write date of cretion on the label and stick it on the bottle/container
  • The first 10 days, the container needs to be opened every day for a few seconds
  • At the end of 3 months/1 month, strain the contents
  • The pulp that is left after straining can be blended and used as a concentrated cleaner for tough stains.. It can also be used as a starter for a new batch of bioenzyme. Or you can layer it at the bottom if you are planting green leafy plants like spinach in a planter.
  • The liquid we have post straining is ready to be used

    • *Don't use glass container as the container may need room to expand. Uses: