Upcycle - Turn Trash Into Treasure

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Upcycle! 
No,upcycle does not refer to riding a bicycle uphill. Yet, it refers to the practice of reusing discarded stuff that would otherwise end up in a landfill and turning that discarded stuff into a usable item or artwork. Upcycling is good for the environment. Each year, Americans send 135 million tons of trash to incinerators and the landfill. Upcycling reduces the amount of waste in our landfills, reduces carbon emissions, and encourages awareness for environmental action.

 You can upcycle almost anything. All it takes is some imagination, determination, and implementation. Upcycling is a fun way to reduce, reuse and recycle. Moreover, it can provide support to local artist and communities, such is the case of single moms and widows in Zambia where 
EPA, 2012
the ladies crochet strips of used plastic grocery bags into reusable bags. The ladies in turn support local orphans and their children's school.1
Additionally, in 2012, locals in Lusaka, Zambia were given rubbish from the U.S. Embassy with which they crafted usable goods.2


 Upcycling Ideas
Ideas on what and how to upcycle are easy to find on the internet. Included in this post are some of our favorites. A classic idea: turn jelly jars into candles by simply filtering recycled vegetable oil, pour it into the clean jelly jar, insert cotton wick, and voila you have a candle! How about turning an old bike tire into a land stand or. Macintosh computer into a "Macquarium".3
EPA, 2014
Did you know?
Composting your food waste is a form of upcycling. You are taking discarded food that will end up in a landfill and turning it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Learn more about composting by reading Worm Bins for Small-Scale Composting and Let the Leaves be Next Year’s Compost.
Now that you are aware of upcycling, have some fun making gifts for friends and family or donating materials and time to local community organization. Still looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, try upcycling – here’s an idea Upcycle Valentine's Day Gift Idea: 52 Reasons.4

Endnotes
1, 2. Environmental Protection Agency. 2012. Upcycle. The EPA Blog. https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/01/upcycle/
3 Environmental Protection Agency. 2014. Upcycle for life. The EPA Blog. https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2014/04/upcycling-for-life/
4 City of Austin. 2015. Upcycle Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: 52 Reasons. Road to Zero Waste Blog. http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/upcycle-valentine%E2%80%99s-day-gift-idea-52-reasons

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