Unlike recycling, the upcycling process does not break recycled materials down to their original base ingredients. Instead, upcycling consists of “refashioning” recycled materials into new and better products. Essentially, upcycling involves the repurposing of an old item without use into a new and improved item of greater practicality, value, and quality. By repurposing items that were once out of commission, upcycling extends the general lifespan of a product. This in turn keeps materials functional, and therefore, ultimately, keeps products out of our landfills, our incinerators, and our environment.

Similar to recycling and downcycling, the resource circulation that occurs during upcycling is beneficial to the environment. The use of upcycling can positively impact the environment through the reduction of excessive and destructive resource extraction practices such as the following: logging, mining, fishing methods that trap everything in their path, and theprocessing of raw materials. 

Upcycling mainly occurs in the industries of fashion and furniture, where sustainable production is more difficult, as manufacturing often requires ample amounts of chemicals, energy, and water. It’s never easy to cut down on energy and water usage throughout the production process, but many smaller local artisans, and a few larger companies like Patagonia and Urban Outfitters as well, have recently been endeavoring towards more sustainable initiatives by employing and experimenting with upcycling practices. The factories implement sustainable practices through the disassembly of older, damaged clothes and textiles, which can then be repurposed into new commercial apparel pieces of a similar or even higher quality and value. Companies are committing to upcycling by transforming broken, wasted, or old furniture as well as salvaging pieces and materials to create new furniture and household items or decor. 

With the recent sustainability boom, many waste collection programs, such as Terracycle, have materialized as well. These waste collection programs specialize in waste collection so that they may create newer products that can once again enter the consumer market or to aid other companies in their eco-friendly search for upcycling materials.