UPCYCLE- Trash to Treasure

My mom has always been an over- enthusiastic up cycler and somehow I never saw a reason, up until about 6 months ago when I saw her use her skills around the house during a renovation, and the results, astounding.

Have a look for yourself.

Etched glass used in partition. I wish I had a better picture without me in it.

The same etched glass now adorns my windows, beautifully.

Another Upcycle we did at home using some sample floor boards and parts from an old clock.

Recycle is a word very commonly used but Upcycle? These terms are often confused and used interchangeably.  So, I deep dived into research to have a better understanding and now I feel Upcycle is the way forward and by the end of this article, I hope you agree too.

WHAT IS UPCYCLE?

Upcycling also known as creative reuse is the practice of creating a useable product by adding value to an existing product. It adds to the environmental value of the product while enhancing the look and feel of the original discarded materials/product. Upcycle increases the life span of the items that aren’t infinitely recyclable and ensures that items take a longer path to the trash can.  All you need is a bit of time and creativity and if you don’t have the later, just trust pinterest to have your back.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM RECYCLE?

Upcycle and Recycle both have the same end goal i.e waste reduction but it’s the opposite of ‘recycle’ in the sense that when you recycle an item, it goes back into production only to be broken down first and then transformed into something entirely different and typically of lesser or same value. For example, The newspapers that you receive everyday are sold to the Scrap Dealer at the end of every month. These newspapers then make their way to the recycling centre and are processed to make recycled paper.

If you were to use these newspapers by either quilling them to make earrings or frames or weaving them into a basket of some sort, the possibilities are endless — You not only create something extraordinary from a simple material and  increase the life span of the newspapers but also save the energy that would have otherwise gone into the recycling process further reducing pollution and carbon emissions.

Newspaper laundry baskets.

Easy Newspaper Bag DIY from How About Orange.

I’m not saying recycle is bad. I’m just saying upcycle is better because it’s a  greener, cheaper  and more creative way to the same end result. 

Upcycling doesn’t always have to be over complicated or look  marvelous. It just has to be functional.  It can be something as easy as reusing a plastic bottle of coke as a planter or maybe just repainting an old piece of furniture in a different color. But these minor changes can make a huge impact and go a long way in reducing the amount of trash that leaves your home. When it comes to saving the environment, no project is too small.

Easy hanging planters by Upcycling plastic bottles.

BEFORE. Study Desk.

AFTER. Nightstands.

A few tweaks here and there, a new coat of paint and you end up with two pieces of furniture that look absolutely new at the cost of half of what it’ll take to buy a new piece.

In short, by upcycling you can conserve the ecosystem by saving it from unnecessary trash and chances are you’ll be left with a winner. Upcycle is a handy trick to go green because it starts from your home. It is the need of the hour too and the sooner we realize that and consciously start making better decisions (environment wise) maybe, just maybe we can still save our planet and ourselves.

Apart from all these environmental benefits, Upcycled items bring a sense of affinity and ingenuity while adding a lovely touch of creativity to a space. Not to forget, you end up with a entirely unique product and a story to tell.

Here, I’ve put together some upcycle ideas in a hope that  you find some inspiration and join me and numerous others in giving back to our environment and buying more time for ourselves.

A shelf and a planter by simply splitting an old chair in two. Don’t forget a new coat of paint.

Center table using whole wine bottles.

Lampshade from upcycled wine bottle.

This might be a little over the top but it adds just the right amount of vintage unique touch.

This really clever reuse of a pair of old jeans just wins my heart.

Old drawers repainted and reused as wall mounted shelves.

A door into a table, what????

A window pane turned into a mirror paired with a console table.

Suitcases as side tables.

Repaint but make it fashion!

There are absolutely no rules to Upcycling. Use 2 colors or 4.

Cheese graters as pendant lights.

Use the toys that your kids have outgrown instead of tossing them in the bin.

They make great hooks.

Too many magazines at home? Don’t worry, we got you.

Don’t play sports anymore? Turn your Rackets into mirrors or just hang photos using pegs.

Reuse old cup and saucers to make this jewelry stand.

There are absolutely no rules to Upcycle and the only limit is your imagination. So, next time you’re about to throw something in the trash bin, just ask yourself, Can I reuse it?

If you loved these re-purpose ideas and will definitely try them in the future, we’d love to see them too. Post your pictures on instagram and Tag us @ archintrigue. We’d love to hear your thoughts so leave your comments/suggestions/queries down below.