UPCYCLING HISTORY

UPCYCLING HISTORY

1. Dictionary definition of upcycling:reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

   • It is becoming increasingly popular because it lets people be creative while making money on the side usually with huge margins due to the originality of the products
   • It's not just small objects and furniture it can also be done in fashion
   • Upcycling has a positive effect on the environment because it removes items out of the global rubbish stream
     • So it reduces the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere

2. Examples of products that have been upcycled

   • Soda Bottle Lamp
   • Tin can wine rack
   • Ladder shelves
   • Place mat purse
   • Cereal box clock
   • Plywood chair
   • Plastic Bag Laptop case
   • Bike chain candle holders

3. It was first reported officially in 1994 by Thornton Kay but there are reports that it started before that in about the 1930's/1940's with families changing the use of something to create it into something else or adjusting an object so it is of more use to them

   • It has been going for many many years becasue techbically using one product for somethying else which creates a value to helping the user is upcycling

4. What can you upcycle?

   • Just about anything: Wine bottles, cans, newspapers, milk cartons, tires, suitcases, jeans, you name it. If you no longer have a use for it, upcycle it.

5. Famous Upcyclers

   • They did an upcycling segment on Blue Peter
   • Shashta Smith
   • Piet Hein Eek
   • Jake Wright
   • Alex Wright

6. 'Shabby Chic'

   • Many think this is upcycling or very similar but famous Upcyclers have called this craze 'lazy upcyclers' as they believe Upcycling is harder to do and looks more professional

7. Also known as creative reuse

8. Chris Steel

   • The first modern person to regularly upcycle was Artisan Chris Steel from The Wirral UK in 1978. He was a DJ through the mid to later part of the 1970's and also owned a reclaimed timber yard at the time so had access to a lot of material for upcycling.
     • He now resides in the sleepy village of Prees Shropshire UK where his studio is and continues to make many objects of interest from a vast assortment of spent materials (i.e., timber, steel, iron, leather, glass).

9. Upcycling can be used in many different forms

   • Art
   • Fashion
   • Music

10. Popularity of Upcycling

    • The increased awareness of environmental responsibility and a slow economy has led to a major increase in upcycling. The college student short on cash may upcycle their out of fashion jeans by adding a few seams and rips instead of buying a new pair all together. Home owners are looking for ways to renovate with salvaged, and in some cases, free materials. The green mom on a budget may upcycle her old clothes into clothes for her children. This innovative spirit and environmental consciousness has led to upcycling in nearly all areas of life. From green companies to your Mother’s kitchen, people are looking to save money and the planet. Upcycling does both.

11. 'Why recycle when you can upcycle'

    • This is a very popular phrase that epitomises the difference between upcycling and recycling
    • This proves that people believe that upcycling may even better than recycling as it has limitless restrictions on what can be done with each product

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