Upcycling the old is new
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Alessia Mosci, our Creative Director reflects on the significance of upcycling in the context of architectural refurbishments and climate change.
Lately I have been trying to track down the origin of the word ‘upcycling’, an expression that for the past twenty years has been primarily associated with the restyling of old furniture or with the reconfiguration of timber pallets into flowerpots and makeshift seating areas. Upcycling is much more than that, at its heart it is about reducing waste and keeping materials and products relevant. Its practice, together with re-use is becoming increasingly meaningful in the context of a new circular economy, defined by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation[i] as an aconomy ’…based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems’.
Upcycling is one of many contributors to a more balanced society and it stems from a conscious decision, to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. The first step is to accept there is a problem and help find ways to contribute to the solution[ii]. As Sally Weintrobe explains in her book ‘Engaging with climate change’, acknowledging the problem is not easy and it does not happen overnight. It means looking at what and how we consume, it means deciding to change our habits and always being alerted to opportunities to reduce waste. Re-using and upcycling can be conscious decisions applied to almost every aspect of everyday life, from transport, to technology to groceries and cleaning products. It means making small sacrifices for a greater good that is not necessarily tangible.
Aside from flowerpots and old chairs, designers are challenged to find new ways to employ materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill by keeping their purpose wherever it can be kept and attributing a new value to them where they outlive their original purpose.
Lately I have been trying to track down the origin of the word ‘upcycling’, an expression that for the past twenty years has been primarily associated with the restyling of old furniture or with the reconfiguration of timber pallets into flowerpots and makeshift seating areas. Upcycling is much more than that, at its heart it is about reducing waste and keeping materials and products relevant. Its practice, together with re-use is becoming increasingly meaningful in the context of a new circular economy, defined by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation[i] as an aconomy ’…based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems’.
Upcycling is one of many contributors to a more balanced society and it stems from a conscious decision, to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. The first step is to accept there is a problem and help find ways to contribute to the solution[ii]. As Sally Weintrobe explains in her book ‘Engaging with climate change’, acknowledging the problem is not easy and it does not happen overnight. It means looking at what and how we consume, it means deciding to change our habits and always being alerted to opportunities to reduce waste. Re-using and upcycling can be conscious decisions applied to almost every aspect of everyday life, from transport, to technology to groceries and cleaning products. It means making small sacrifices for a greater good that is not necessarily tangible.
Aside from flowerpots and old chairs, designers are challenged to find new ways to employ materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill by keeping their purpose wherever it can be kept and attributing a new value to them where they outlive their original purpose.