Cover photo source: Architect Art Designs

Upcycling, according to Wikipedia “is the process of transforming by products, waste materials, useless or unwanted products into new materials or products” This definition describes upcycling as the process by which worn products are recycled into new products with little to no difference in quality than before. The economy is fast embracing unnecessary new expenses instead of reusing resources already available to us. Upcycling is practiced at higher rates in developing countries, especially in underdeveloped countries such as; Laos, East Timor, etc which have a high rate of poverty, human resource weakness and are vulnerable economically. Children, and the new generations, need to realize that there are better ways of getting quality products rather than rampant consumerism, which ultimately wastes unnecessary resources. 

Expenses are things we do not want to accumulate at any point in our lives, so why not practice upcycling? Instead of spending your savings on new things like new clothes, shoes or even new consoles, why don’t we upcycle them? Now, not everyone knows how to upcycle, however it would be of good benefit if we can learn from experts. For example, three weeks ago, I realized that food cans can be joined together and used as legs for a stool and that cutting boards can be made from boxcar floorboards. These two examples of upcycling show how it helps in saving costs, for the former instead of taking it to a carpenter and spending unnecessary amount of money there, disposable cans are used to hold the stool and for the latter instead of buying a new cutting board, floorboards that were probably found in the forest or from the garbage yards, were cleaned and used. The cover photo of this blog is an example of upcycling! It pictures an egg carton upcycled into a toy by truck. 

Upcycling can also be a fun activity or project with practical or artistic and creative results! I know the pride that comes with being able to fix something. So, I believe Upcycling should be taught in schools today as it would help children practice sustainability, and responsibility when it comes to saving costs instead of buying new. Teaching kids to put sustainability over capitalism, while still having a good time learning a fun craft would be an incredibly valuable life skill. Learning how to upcycle leads to the creation of a very dominant economy.

This essay is kind of like upcycling itself. I gathered knowledge from all angles, turned them in my own words, and created something new. Upcycling is very important, and needs to be taught in schools (and other places!) because it would fill the world with creativity.

BY LAWRENCE CAMPBELL