Humans are literally drowning in trash!
The rapidly-growing amount of waste is a critical environmental issue.
The average person creates 4.3 pounds of waste per day—added up, that’s a lot of
trash coming out of one household!
Not to mention that this number has only increased over the decades.
There are recycling programs in place to help, and many folks participate in that.
But what if you could do more quite simply, right in your own home?
Upcycling is one solution many are looking to to slow the creation of waste.
Upcycling vs Recycling
Why consider upcycling?
According to the article “Recycling vs. Upcycling: What is the difference” upcycling is described
by some as reusing a material without degrading the quality and composition of the material for
its next use.
When plastic bottles are recycled, for instance, most often they cannot be turned back into
containers associated with anything that can be ingested due to the risk of things seeping
into the plastic.
As a result, these usually become carpets, or toys, or winter fleeces: things that will eventually
also become trash.
Recycling has simply prolonged the inevitable by stretching out our waste stream and made the
lifecycle costs of the material a bit less.
Upcycling represents a truly cyclical, balanced process that all industries and companies should
be aiming towards.
All of our products could be drastically changed if the beginning of their design started with the
goal of not having them end up in a landfill.
A number of ways could be utilities to train our economy into an inherent practice of reuse.
Upcycling is a plus for the environment because it reduces the amount of waste that we produce
and ultimately goes into the ground for longer than any of us will be around.
Secondly, it also reduces the need for new virgin material to be harvested as feedstock for new
generations of product.
In the case of plastic, this means less oil wells drilled.
For metals, less mountains mined.
For paper, less trees felled.
All around this means less expended energy.
So instead of just throwing something out or even recycling it–repurposing or upcycling something
gives jars, plastic bottles, paper, or other household items a second life.
How to Repurpose Your Trash
Are you looking for new ways to protect the planet—and have fun while doing it?
Reusing your recyclables can act as fun arts and crafts projects or add helpful home improvements.
If you’re looking to improve your daily waste habits and have fun while doing it, Personal Creations
created a graphic that illustrates creative ideas to reuse recyclable products, to help you do your part.
They’ve compiled 40 new and interesting ways you can reuse any recyclable in your home.
Covering plastic, glass, paper and aluminum, the ideas include everything from fun arts and crafts
projects to home hacks.
What are your favorite items to upcycle?
What are your some of your favorite upcycled creations?
Share your suggestions, thoughts and comments with us.
It’s shocking how much we throw away, thanks for drawing attention to this
Great infographic! All the suggestions are great and I even found some good recycling projects for my kids. We are trying to minimize our family’s waste in different ways and this post is a good and creative addition to our plans. Thank you for sharing!