Best Practices in Upcycling That Are Turning Trash Into Treasure

BySwagCycle

Upcycling is the process of transforming discarded or unwanted materials into something new and useful. Not only is it an eco-friendly way to reduce waste, but it also allows individuals to express their creativity while saving money. 

However, upcycling is more than just repurposing old items; it involves a set of best practices that ensure your upcycling efforts are successful and sustainable. If you’re interested in learning more about the best practices in upcycling, keep reading.

  • Start with a plan
    Before you start upcycling, it’s important to have a plan in place. This means deciding what item you want to upcycle, how you want to transform it, and what materials you will need. Having a plan will also help you stay organized and focused throughout the upcycling process. You don’t need to have a detailed plan, but a basic idea of what you want to achieve will help you avoid mistakes and frustrations.
  • Choose quality materials
    Upcycling is not about using any random material; it’s about using high-quality materials that can help you create a durable and functional item. For example, if you’re upcycling a piece of furniture, use materials that can withstand wear and tear. This includes durable fabrics, timber, and metal. While you’re at it, choose materials that are readily available and inexpensive to further reduce your ecological footprint.
  • Repurpose thoughtfully
    Upcycling isn’t just about repurposing for the sake of repurposing. It’s about creating something new and useful while giving a second life to an item that would otherwise end up in a landfill. As you repurpose items, consider their functionality and how they can be used in everyday life. For example, you can turn a broken ladder into a bookshelf or an old tire into a garden planter. The possibilities are endless!
  • Avoid harmful chemicals
    When upcycling, it’s important to use processes that protect your health and the environment. Avoid using harmful chemicals that may harm you, animals, or the environment. Use non-toxic paint, adhesives, and polishes to ensure your upcycling project is safe and sustainable. You can also use natural, eco-friendly materials such as cork, bamboo, and hemp to reduce your ecological footprint.
  • Share your success with others
    After you’ve completed your upcycling project successfully, take some time to share it with others. This can mean sharing pictures on social media platforms such as Pinterest or Instagram, or even creating a website to showcase your upcycling creations. By sharing your success with others, you’ll inspire them to get involved in upcycling, too.

Conclusion:
Upcycling has come a long way from being a hobby to a lifestyle. Using best practices such as starting with a plan, choosing quality materials, repurposing thoughtfully, avoiding harmful chemicals, and sharing your success with others ensures that your upcycling efforts are successful and sustainable. These are simple guidelines that make a big difference in reducing waste and in creating beautiful and functional items out of trash. Be creative and have fun while doing your part in making a better and cleaner world, one upcycled item at a time. Read everything you need to know about examples of upcycling by visiting online at SwagCycle.

"SwagCycle is a startup focused on responsibly managing the lifecycle of branded merchandise. When companies rebrand or get acquired, many often dispose of their obsolete branded merchandise. Leveraging our proprietary network of partners, we make this problem go away by helping companies repurpose and recycle unwanted branded items in a responsible, ethical, and affordable way.

SwagCycle is a proud portfolio company of Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth-generation marketing services firm with a deep history of corporate responsibility.

We’ve developed a simple and efficient 3-step process to address the issue of obsolete branded merchandise with companies:
(1) Assess the inventory of unwanted items;
(2) Confirm brand guidelines to determine if excess items can live on with charitable partners or should be recycled; and
(3) Match items with appropriate charities and/or recycling partners.

An important term to consider is landfill divergence. We want to ensure that items do not get thrown away, but instead, get repurposed or recycled responsibly.

The response from the charitable community has been wonderful. Some of our founding charitable partners include organizations like United Way, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, and Dress for Success, among others."