I guess this is a modern word for what we have always known as 'recycle' or 'renew'. (Maybe the prefix 'up' adds more value to the word than 're'?)
But I’ve been told there’s a small difference. Unlike recycling, which breaks things down, upcycling is more about reimagining the old in clever, often surprising ways. You don’t need machines — just a little imagination.
This reminds me of my father. He had this habit of never throwing anything away, convinced that it might come in handy later.
But he wasn't just a hoarder — he repurposed things into useful items for our home.
One simple example was sheets of paper that had writing or printing only on one side. He never tossed bills or pamphlets. Instead, he collected them and, using his knowledge of bookbinding, made small writing pads, which he happily used.
I’ve inherited some of those habits. At home, before throwing anything out, I always check if it can be repurposed in some way.
For example, I make sure to reuse the blank side of papers. Glass jars have been turned into indoor planters. Containers from takeaway food are reused — they might not look new, but they serve the purpose for a while.
Around Bengaluru, I’ve seen cafés decked out with furniture made from discarded doors and scrap wood. I’ve also spotted old tyres cleverly transformed into plant holders.
(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment.)
It’s amazing what people come up with when they look at “waste” with fresh eyes.
The best thing about upcycling is that you don’t have to be a DIY guru to get started.
It’s all about looking at the things we usually toss aside and asking, can this become something else?
More often than not, the answer is yes. And there’s something deeply satisfying about giving an object a second life — especially in a world where we’re constantly being told to buy more.
So next time you're clearing out a drawer or tidying up the garage, pause before chucking things out.
You might just discover that something that was lying unused can be easily turned into something useful
The difference between recycling and upcycling is how the object is used. Is someone using it the way it was intended? Recycling. Reimagined is upcycling. So, your father's notepads I'd consider upcycled. Great way to reuse used paper.
ReplyDeleteI use old A4 sheets of paper when I print my diary entries, I rip them in half print the entry and cut it down to size placing the smaller cut off bits on a small clip board I have to be used for jotting down stuff. I also reuse plastic containers that some stuff come in till they start to fall apart. I also found a heap of old exercise books which I have been using to print my letters to my penpals on.
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