Upcycle!
My new favorite word is “upcycle. “A German chemist Michael Braungart and architect William McDonough coined the term in their 2002 book, ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.’ To upcycle simply means to use waste products to make useful things.
Upcycling is what Tsia Carson, one of the brains behind SuperNaturale, is all about. In case you have not seen it yet, SuperNaturale is a fantastic site dedicated to all things DIY with an online magazine, bulletin boards and blogs. Carson’s book ‘Craftivity: 40 Projects for the DIY Lifestyle,‘ is based on her website and features 40 projects to turn your trash into treasure. As Anda from Etsy Storque says, “After only a few pages, you should be itching to visit a local thrift store, the back of your closet, or the dumpster behind your apartment for interesting (and free) supplies.”
- » See also: A Review of the Green Guide for Artists
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If you are looking for some trash to upcycle, why not check out FreeCycle. Teensygreen just turned me onto this great site which allows you to see what kind of trash your neighbor might want to unload on you. Freecycle is a free service with more then 4,518,000 members! The main purpose of the site is to allow people to share unwanted items with folks in their own city instead of tossing more junk into landfills. As for me, I’m off to look for more plates to break!
I’ve always been curious about that book … maybe it is time to finally pick up a copy! :O
thanks for the mention! ‘Cradle to Cradle’ is definitely an eye-opening book!
This is a fantastic word/idea! I’m a cheapskate, wannabe crafter, and currently “not buying anything new” as part of my very mini compact so I’m all in.
[...] Upcycle!, about another “trash into treasure” must-have book [...]
Hi! My dad just forwarded me your blog entry. I love the concept of “upcycle”! I recently went to a UN Film Festival where they featured the a film by Micheal McDounough talking about Cradle to Cradle and just fell in love. I have a business where I make bags out of discarded clothing so this concept is very close to my heart. Thanks for the entry and getting the word out there about Cradle to Cradle! I feel like everyone should and can participate in this wonderful concept. Hopefully with time and understanding this concept will be the norm.