The Benefits of Upcycling (2024)

The environmental benefits of upcycling are mammoth, aside from minimising the volume of discarded materials and waste being sent to landfill each year, it also reduces the need for production using new or raw materials which means a reduction in air pollution, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and often a conservation of global resources.

Environmental benefits of Upcycling

1. Saving materials from landfill
These days, many brands and designers are making very cool stuff from old stuff. Plenty of items that were once en route to landfill have been reclaimed by some very creative people.

2. Reducing what goes into landfill
We’ve become so used to things being mass manufactured and made in a heartbeat that we buy things as quickly as we throw things away.

3. Minimal use of natural resources
Upcycling existing resources means that we don’t have to use any new raw materials in the production process. Did you know that it takes 2,700 liters to produce the cotton needed to make a single t-shirt?

Social and Economic Benefits of Upcycling

1. Celebrating artisanal work and old school craftmanship
Behind every upcycled product, there is a maker who strongly believes in a level of craftsmanship that we just don’t see very much anymore.

2. Supporting local and rural industry
Another social and economic benefit of upcycling is that it supports small local businesses as well as rural village industries.

3. Reduced manufacturing costs
If designers make items from reclaimed materials, this can drastically reduce their manufacturing costs.

Personal benefits of Upcycling

1. Doing your bit for Mother Nature
Nothing beats that warm and fuzzy feeling you get inside when you’ve done something great for the planet.

2. Crafty repair skills
Repairing an item and giving it a new life is a great skill and a wonderful feeling.

3. One-of-a-kind items
Whether you’re upcycling things yourself or buying products from designers, it’s always nice to know that you have something that is completely unique.

Here is an optional video where Prof Fergus Lyon and Adeyemi Adelekan, experts in the field of sustainability and circular economy talk about generalities of upcycling, what it is and why it is important.