/r/upcycling
Upcycling is reusing waste or unwanted materials without destroying them in order to create something new.
What is the difference between Recycling and Upcycling?
Recycling takes waste products, breaks them down, then forms them into something new. Upcycling is reusing waste or unwanted materials without destroying them in order to create something new, which makes upcycling more energy efficient than recycling.
- Example of recycling: Taking plastic bags, breaking down the materials, reforming it, and turning the used plastic into a new cup.
- Example of upcycling: Transforming old clothes into a new outfit, bag, or stuffed animal.
More About r/Upcycling
This subreddit is for people who have come together to turn waste or unwanted items into something useful. We encourage reducing, reusing and recycling waste in the traditional fashion, but there are some things that don't recycle well, or would otherwise be thrown away. For these types of materials, we encourage re-purposing the materials.
This space is for anything upcycling. All relevant posts are welcome.
Challenge of The Month
Each month we will have a challenge on the sub. This month's challenge can be found at the top of the page as a post. You will need to upcycle something in the theme we give you and then post a picture of it in the comments of the post
All participants will get a special flair that will get updated when you do more challenges.
Posting Policy
We have a very simple posting policy. We realize that some Redditors have relevant blogs or Etsy shops. It's OK to post them here, but only if you are contributing to the Reddit community more than you are posting and cross-posting your own content.
Where did my post go?
Reddit has an aggressive system for weeding out spam, especially if you're new or cross-posting the same content throughout many subreddits. If you notice your post is missing and doesn't get any responses by the end of the day, just feel free to message the mod to bring attention to the spam trap.
Related Subreddits
/r/upcycling
195,926 Subscribers
Revitalize Your Old Tech with Shells.com: A Sustainable Approach to Computing!
Hey r/upcycling community!
I run a DaaS (Device as a Service) called Shells.com that aligns perfectly with the ethos of giving new life to old items. As many of us hold onto aging tech, not just out of necessity but also to reduce waste, finding ways to repurpose these items is always on our radar.
Shells.com offers virtual desktops that can transform your outdated computers into high-performance machines capable of running the latest software and operating systems. This service breathes new life into old hardware, allowing you to bypass the environmental and financial costs of buying new gadgets.
Benefits for Upcyclers:
- Sustainability: Continue using your existing hardware for longer, significantly cutting down on e-waste.
- Cost-Effective: Save money on hardware upgrades. Shells.com allows you to access high-powered computing environments without the need to invest in new electronics.
- Enhanced Performance: Your old laptop or desktop’s limitations disappear as you tap into powerful cloud-based computing resources.
This is not just about making the most out of what we have; it's about reducing our carbon footprint and pushing against the throwaway culture and this is one of the reasons we built Shells. We're currently celebrating our 4th year birthday, so we've been around a while. As such, we've got a 35% off discount for anyone to try. At checkout, simply enter the code NAUTILUS2024 to the discount.
For anyone worried about the complexities of setting up, it’s all done through the cloud, so it’s user-friendly too!
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences! If you've got any questions about my environmental background, I'll also be happy to answer those!
11:33 UTC
How would you refurbish/redesign this jewelry chest?
The chest overall is in good shape. The hinges and clasps are all intact. It's mostly the interior I'd like to fix up, though I wouldn't be opposed to ideas about the outside either. The mirror is no longer attached and the reflective material is falling out. The fabric as whole is ok, but it smells pretty strongly of old must.
I'm not super crafty or skilled, but I'm open to any ideas for redesigning, reupholstering, or repurposing that y'all have.
17:59 UTC
I repaired our county-provided compost bin because I’m THAT guy who tries to reuse everything
9 inches of HVAC vent strap (tripled up), a couple of super cheap already-in-my-shop nuts and bolts and washers, and 10 minutes. Otherwise I know they’d recycle this bin or worse just throw it out.
13:57 UTC
What can we do with lots of coroplast signs?
Every election leaves in its wake piles of coroplast signs. Coroplast is just like corrugated cardboard but it’s made out of plastic. I’ve used some as a bottom board for my beehives but there are so many more signs than beehives. Give me your creative and useful ideas for these signs. Go!
04:40 UTC
What to do with paper small animal bedding?
My rabbit passed recently and I have a huuuuuge bag of paper bedding (kaytee “natural” clean & cozy) that I don’t know what to do with. I posted it to a local buy-nothing group but there weren’t any takers and the shelter near me won’t accept anything that’s been opened. Do any of y’all have suggestions for what I could do with it?
18:30 UTC
Another curtain dress
Pattern: my own Fiber content: unknown Made from a thrifted curtain
14:57 UTC
update: not smashed!
thank you to everyone who gave me different ideas for reusing rather than smashing. the butter dish lives to are another day… for now 😏
special thanks u/UCFandOCSC for the tampon idea, it was a grat suggestion! super practical and something i could implement easily! i love glass in the bathroom too (use an old candle to hold my febreze lol!)
14:13 UTC
Uncycling Clothes
Hi, there! I'm new to upcycling, but I enjoy it so much!! I was just wondering where everyone gets the clothes to upcycle. Goodwill seems to be just as expensive as a retail store these days. Since this is just a hobby at the moment, I'm looking for super cheap, second hand t-shirts, button downs, sweaters, and hoodies. Do you all have any suggestions? TIA!!
01:25 UTC
Any ideas on what to do with these?
21:28 UTC
That's Not Rubbish! Costume Design, Craigslist, and Tablecloths with Mel Wong of Meadow Land
17:14 UTC
Ways to make the chair sittable again
I have this chair frame and I want to make it usable again. Do you know any cool ways to do so?
I was thinking about using a string, rope or belts but have no idea how to start really. Maybe you guys did similar project or have some experience in upholstering chairs.
Also if someone knows what kind of chair it is, like a name of this style or who was the first to make one like this, please let me know.
09:26 UTC
How to upcycling chip bags.
I searched the sub first to see if anyone had posted already. Does anyone have thoughts on how to unicycle chip bags? I’ve been craving them lately and have been thinking they’re usually so colorful, maybe I could make something. Thanks in advance ◡̈
Sorry for the typo in the title 🙃
01:19 UTC
any ideas for up cycling this unused butter tray?
i just don’t be using butter like i thought i would when i bought this two years ago and now it’s collecting dust. don’t want to get rid of it but not sure how else i could use it. only thing that comes to mind is smashing it and then mosaicking with it. i’m not opposed to it but i feel like keeping it intact might come in handy if buttering comes back into my life 🥸
15:37 UTC
Removing primer from a foam roller
Hi there, I'm currently upcycling/restoring a cabinet I found in an alleyway and since I've seen lots of furniture flips in this sub I thought I'd shoot my shot and ask here. I primed my sanded surface with Kilz primer and I'm curious if anyone knows if there is any way to slightly salvage the foam roller I used without using mineral spirits? Any tips would be awesome. I can ultimately just throw it out, but I was intending on painting a second coat of paint tonight.
06:10 UTC
No longer used sandbox is now a bird bath!
19:16 UTC
15:02 UTC
My mum gave me rags from the hospital they couldn't use because of a production error
11:54 UTC
I Made a carpet from old clothes and bedsheets
06:05 UTC
I made this bag from jeans and a piece of canvas and jeans belts.
04:59 UTC
What to do with road markers
I tend to grab road markers when they’re on the side of the road if I see them in time, but now they’re piling up… I’ve been trying to think of what to do with them for a while now. Yes, I know there is the practical things like using them on the driveway or unlit areas, but I think I wanna do something funny with them, or cool. Anyone got any ideas??
21:13 UTC