by Berenice Westmore June 25, 2021 1 min read
Let's get educational here by explaining the difference between recycled and upcycled - do you know which product is from recycled material or has been upcycled?
Recycling is an industrial process, used to repurpose waste into new products.
Recycling = Mass Production
Process: home separation ➔ curbside collection ➔ separation at MRF ➔ recycled into materials ➔ manufactured into products ➔ retailed
Examples: discarded water bottles ➔ RPet Fabric which is then turned into a Shopping Bag (like the Rpet Insect Range Bags) or Produce Bags (like the Uzwelo fruit range of produce Bags).
Upcycling is a creative process, used to repurpose household waste into new products.
Upcycling = D.I.Y
Process: broken product ➔ brainstorm ideas ➔ redesign ➔ strip materials ➔ remake using tools ➔ new product
Example: Discarded Billboard Fabric ➔ Large Reusable Shopper Bags
We always recommend first reducing, reusing - then Upcycling, and FINALLY, when the material no longer serves a purpose - Recycling.