LIFESTYLE AUTHOR
Monica Hand
PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtesy of Austin Creative Reuse
THE UPCYCLE n All you need to know to get started with upcycling crafts.
A
ustin is not only a fit city, but a green city. Here, Austinites aim high to take care of its natural beauties as much as possible — from reducing plastic bags to investing in solar energy. As recycling continues to be one of the major ways Austinites and people all over the world contribute to taking care of the planet, there has also been a rise in individuals upcycling and repurposing those recycled materials. Here’s what it’s all about and how you can get in on the fun.
What Is upcycling?
Upcycling happens by taking a discarded or leftover material and giving that material a new life — a new purpose that is much more valuable than the original. This can take form in simple crafting projects, intricate art pieces or creation of a new, usable product. While not mentioned in the original three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), it’s become a common practice because of its creative implications.
Why should I upcycle?
Upcycling and repurposing materials divert them from ending up in the landfill — so just utilizing a waste material or unwanted object can minimize the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill or as litter in the ocean. Plus, the repurposing of materials takes away demand for the raw material itself to be manufactured again, which can in turn cut back on natural resources like water that is used in the processing procedure.
APRIL 2021
24
