Many of us are now into good habits with recycling our waste. If something breaks we put it in the relevant recycling bins rather than straight to landfill. But recycling still using transport and energy, both producing emissions that add to climate change.
If we can reuse an item then we can save emissions further. Upcycling is a great way to do this.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling in its simplest term is a way to creatively reuse something. Usually where an item is broken, or unuseable, it is repaired and creatively altered in some way to give it a new purpose.
Upcycling is a great way to prevent unwanted items going to landfill or even into the recycling process. It is a useful way of reusing materials that already exist, rather than making something from new.
By modifying an old item, you effectively give it a second life as a new item with a new purpose. Using something that was headed for the trash and creating something that is useful to you or brings you great joy.
When you go to throw an item away in the future, have a think, do some research, what could you turn it into? If you don’t feel very creative yourself, then consider donating it to a repair cafe or a business that upcycles items, so they can help save it from landfill for you.
Can you recommend any local repair groups or upcycling businesses that we have missed from the Directory? – get in touch here via email, or message us through any of our social media pages so we can help support and spread the word.
