Upcycling vs recycling… what’s the difference?

Recycling has become a mainstay of our household chores, and is one of the best known actions we can take to reduce our impact on the environment. Who doesn’t recognize the satisfying feeling of posting empty glass bottles through the slot of a bottle bank, knowing that they will soon reappear on a supermarket shelf, as good as new?

But for most of us, upcycling is a newer concept. Let’s take a look at what both words mean, and the difference between upcycling and recycling.

What is recycling?

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products. This typically involves collecting recyclable materials, sorting them by type, then turning them into raw materials that can be used to manufacture new products.

Examples include melting down aluminum cans to create new aluminum products, such as airplane parts, car parts or electronics, reprocessing paper and cardboard into new paper products, such as cereal boxes, paper towels, tissues and more, and reusing the plastic from plastic drinks bottles to create new bottles, or even t-shirts or upholstery.

What is the hardest waste to recycle?

Some types of waste are more difficult to recycle than others. While glass and metal can be melted down and reprocessed pretty efficiently, plastic is harder to turn back into a high-quality product.

This is partly because there are so many different types of plastic, and many products and packaging contain more than one kind. The high cost of recycling plastic compared to the low cost of producing it new, is another reason that so little plastic actually gets recycled. 

One of the hardest waste materials to recycle is electronic waste, or e-waste. E-waste includes discarded electronic devices ranging from computers and phones to hairdryers and air fryers. These items contain a complex mix of materials, including metals, plastics and hazardous substances. This means recycling e-waste is a challenge, but it’s also important because it recovers valuable resources and prevents harmful materials from polluting the environment.

What’s the definition of upcycling?

Upcycling is the process of taking something old and making it into something new and fabulous. Instead of just recycling a used bottle into another bottle, or used paper into fresh paper, upcycling goes a step further. 

Almost anything can be upcycled. Examples include turning old tires into stylish furniture, repurposing glass bottles into chic lampshades, or converting used textiles into trendy sneakers. The Japanese tradition of kintsugi elevates broken items to works of art by repairing them with gold and silver laquer, making a virtue of imperfection. These transformations are not only sustainable and practical but also add beauty and character.

The Cambridge English Dictionary’s definition of upcycling is:  ‘The activity of making new furniture, objects, etc. out of old or used things or waste material.’ The result of upcycling can be something completely different to what you started out with – and often more valuable. 

The benefits of upcycling

Upcycling helps to minimize waste, limit the demand for new materials and conserve energy. This can reduce air pollution, water pollution and climate-heating emissions. Beyond the direct benefits for the planet, upcycling supports a circular economy and fosters creativity and innovation in sustainable design. 

Want to try upcycling yourself? Before throwing something out, consider how it can be repurposed. Start small, perhaps by turning empty tins into plant pots or personalizing an old piece of clothing. Online communities and upcycling apps can offer inspiration and guidance.

Is upcycling zero waste?

Upcycling is a sustainable approach to reducing waste, but is it zero-waste? Well, it depends. It can certainly divert items from landfills and give them a new lease on life. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we can say that upcycling is a ‘zero-waste’ solution.

This is because there are often byproducts, scraps or materials that cannot be easily repurposed during the upcycling process. These leftover items may still end up in the waste stream.

We also have to consider the energy and resources required to collect, transport and transform the discarded materials into new products, all of which has an environmental impact. The manufacturing process itself may also generate waste.

So, while upcycling is a valuable and eco-conscious practice, it’s not a perfect zero-waste solution. It is one piece of a broader waste reduction strategy that should also include reducing consumption, reusing items and proper recycling.

Upcycling vs recycling – key differences

While upcycling and recycling are both important for reducing the overall amount of waste and conserving natural resources, their processes and outcomes differ.  

Recycling involves breaking down used items to create raw materials. Generally, the same or similar items are created from these raw materials. Meanwhile, upcycling transforms items without breaking them down, often resulting in products of higher quality and value.

That’s why some recycling is referred to as ‘downcycling’. This is because the quality and value of the material goes down each time it is recycled. Paper is an example of downcycling. The long fibers in paper get shorter every time paper is recycled. This reduces the quality of the paper and makes it harder to recycle it next time. Eventually, the fibers become too short to stick to each other and the paper has to be discarded. Even so, paper can be recycled multiple times – up to 25 according to one estimate.

Of course, different people can have different views on what the value of an old or new item is, so they might have different views on what constitutes upcycling, downcycling or just recycling.

For more inspiration on upcycling, take a look at:

• Upcycling water sachets in Nigeria
• Taiwanese designers crafting a new relationship with waste materials
• Turning rocks and seaweed into amazing objects

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