OUGD504 - Studio Brief 2 - General Research

Upcycling and Recycling

Definitions

Upcycle
- reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original

 Recycle
- convert waste into reusable material
- return material to a previous stage in a cyclic process
- use again
- if you recycle things that have already been used such as bottles or sheets of paper, you process them so they can be used again

Reuse
- to use more than once
- the action of using something more than once
- when you reuse something you use it again instead of throwing it away

Reclaim
- retrieve or recover (something previously lost, given, or paid) obtain the return of
- recover (material) for reuse; recycle

Repurpose
- adapt for use in a different purpose

What is the Waste Hierarchy?

- it aims to get the maximum benefits from a product and generate little waste
- the European Union Waste Framework  Directive consists of a five step hierarchy with it commonly being known as the '3R's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'
- the 3R's are ordered from the most to least desirable with reduce first which encourages people to buy and use less, reuse encourages waste to be used again and recycle which changes waste into new materials again 

What is downcycling / recycling?

- Downcycling means making higher value products into lower value raw materials e.g. turning paper in recycled paper
- This helps keep the waste out of landfill for slightly longer but it will at some point arrive there
- it breaks consumer materials down to allow them to be made into composites which can be used to make another lesser product 
- it stretches out the waste stream but reduces the the environmental cost a little 

What is Upcycling?

- Upcycling converts low value waste into high value products by changing it creatively in someway to make it better or equal to what it was before 
- The aim is to give the material a new purpose and make it functional.
- works in opposition to the consumer culture 
- uses creativity to create new and innovative ways to use things 
- it is the creative reuse of materials and byproducts that would otherwise be useless 
- it looks at waste as a way of creating something new and useful
- upcycling has become an art form in which unique items are designed and crafted
- good quality upcycling can divert waste from landfill for generations 
- provides a creative challenge to work with existing materials in a new way 
- it encourages innovation and problem solving with ideas developed that otherwise would not have been achieved in another way
- 'enabling us to create a contemporary style of our time, as opposed to replicating a bygone era'. Upcyclist by Antonia Edwards 

Why is upcycling important?

- it reduces the need for new raw materials by using things that already exist
- it reduces the amount of waste created 
- it is much better for the environment 
- encourages mindful product consumption

When did upcycling start?

- During war time in the 1930's and 1940's there were limited material and economic resources due to rationing,  meaning that things had to be reused.
- In developing countries raw materials are expensive so use found materials to create things they need 
- there is a demand from consumers on brands to create environmentally friendly products
- The Cradle to Cradle book by William McDonough and Michael Braungart brought attention to upcycling and encouraged the use of waste materials as a way of producing new things  

Examples of Upcycling 

- Reclaimed materials can be used to create buildings
- Plastic bags can become yarn 

Where can reclaimed materials be found?

- Charity shops 
- Ebay 
- Timber Yards 
- Salvage Yards 
- Gumtree
- Recycling Centres - Could shops be opened at these to make it easier for people to take things to use?
- Etsy  
- Businesses produce offcuts

Who Upcycles / is interested in Upcycling?

- Upcycling is accessible to everyone with the creativity to create something from something else
- Businesses and innovators are looking for ways to repurpose excess waste in industry and make processes more environmentally friendly
- young people more aware of recycling and upcycling through use of internet and TV
- design conscious audience
- upcycling techniques are becoming more refined making them appealing to a luxury market
- mass market companies are also looking for ways in which upcycling can be done on a larger scale 

Where is Upcycling seen?

- Etsy allows people to buy and sell goods and materials
- Magazines such as Reloved and Reclaim 
- TV Programs such as Fill Your House For Free, Amazing Spaces, Money for Nothing
- Blogs such as Martha Stewart , Upcyclist  

References

https://intercongreen.com/2010/02/17/recycling-vs-upcycling-what-is-the-difference/
https://www.biobasedworldnews.com/why-recycle-when-you-can-upcycle-the-growing-trend-behind-sustainability-breakthroughs
https://theupcyclingfashionista.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/the-difference-between-recycling-upcycling-and-downcycling/
http://environmentjournal.online/articles/the-upside-to-upcycling/
Upcyclist : Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors by Antonia Edwards