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Waste management is a big issue, especially in developing countries and industrialised nations. Over the years, landfills have been filled with waste beyond their capacity, resulting in leachate contamination of nearby waters and health risks for nearby communities.
Fortunately, people, organisations, and companies who are most likely the most significant contributors to this environmental concern are already thinking of ways to solve it.
You might be familiar with recycling and its benefits. But, what if I tell you that there’s a way to save the planet while having so much fun? Yep, that’s upcycling for you.
Doing more with your trash and turning ordinary items into something more valuable are the main selling points of upcycling. And evidently, the public loves it!
In fact, if you search “how to upcycle?”, you’ll be swarmed with 6,220,000 results!
How about you? Will you also ride the big waves of upcycling?
What is upcycling?
It may sound like a recent thing, but upcycling has been practised for a long time now. It’s just called ‘creative reuse’ back then. What exactly is it, then?
Upcycling refers to the reuse and recreation of an object into a new product without diminishing the materials it was originally made from. It is explained as a more innovative and cost-effective way of reducing waste where creativity could also prosper without limit.
What could be better than going limitless, right?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia generated approximately 76 million tonnes of waste in 2018-2019, a 10% increase since the last data gathered from 2016-2017. Alarming, isn’t it? Also, the rate at which we use the earth’s unsustainable resources is even more concerning.
Hence, upcycling was introduced and even loved by the public. Our desire for uniqueness and creativity attracted the interest of the people more than ever. Plus, we can do it to tread lightly on the environment.
Recycling vs Upcycling
We all know the anti-waste mantra: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle like the back of our hands. We’ve been told to do those since we were like what? Five years old? Ironically, it is only easily remembered but often challenging to implement among us.
In this known mantra, upcycling fits in the realm of reuse. Recycling involves breaking down materials to make another product — usually of lower quality or value. As opposed, upcycling creates and transforms old to new products that ideally have much better quality.
Benefits of Upcycling
Upcycling upholds various benefits. It is another solution to effectively and efficiently aid the growing concern of waste management. It also enhances our skills and imagination while helping in saving Mother Earth. Here are some of the main advantages of upcycling:
1. Lessen Waste
In practising upcycling, we can lessen the waste dumped in the landfills because the things we ought to throw out are transformed into something value-worthy again.
2. Lessen GHG Production
As upcycling lessens the waste being dumped in landfills, it can negate the production of more greenhouse gases which is very harmful to the environment.
3. Conserve Natural Resources
During the production process, many new raw materials are being utilised. As we are statistically in danger regarding natural resources, it is beneficial to use old materials instead.
4. Reduces Manufacturing Cost
Reinventing things from old and used objects into new and awesome ones can drastically reduce manufacturing costs. Many businesses sold their products at much lower prices without compromising the quality.
5. Supports Local and Rural Industry
Many small businesses and rural industries are emerging nowadays. Small artists make upcycled products to be sold in global markets, which can help them make ends meet and promote culture and tradition.
Some charities and organisations even upcycle your used items to support noble causes.
6. Promotes Creativity and Innovation
Upcycling helps us develop ways on how to create something from the things we already have. Instead of throwing them out, numerous products can be produced out of a single material. Everything is up to you!
Final Thoughts
Want to take your old bags, clothes, toys to the next level? Then, upcycling is for you!! The countless number of new products you can produce from a single scrap can be a practical solution to countless ongoing environmental problems.
With upcycling, you’re doing your bit for Mother Earth while doing crafts everyone can enjoy. So go and start your first upcycling project or make sure to have your wastes removed by rubbish removal companies that support upcycling, like Kurt’s!
