What is Upcycling?

Fashion waste is costing the global economy more than $400 billion every year, according to a recent World Economic Forum report. And this is just the economic impact of fashion waste. Beyond economic loss, fashion waste leads to environmental disasters. Fashion is a massive contributor to the 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions released each year. Clothing manufacturing creates over half a million tons of microfiber pollution that ends in the ocean. Half a million tons of microfiber are the equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles, each year.

According to the United Nations report released in June 2013, World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision, the world population of 7.2 billion is projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. The questions being asked are “Where will the fibers, materials and items be derived to meet the demand and how much will be needed?” The fashion sector simply must find a way to deal with the issues it is facing, a scarcity of supply of raw materials and an abundance of waste products.

The production of fast fashion contaminates all forms of water bodies. It is responsible for producing 20% of global wastewater as well as 97% of fast fashion garments being produced overseas, with emphasis on poor countries.

WHAT IS UPCYCLING?

The word ‘upcycling’ was first used in a 1994 Salvo News article by Thornton Kay. Upcycling is the process of modifying or reusing materials or things in a creative way. Moreover, it is about transforming something old into something creative. 

Upcycling has an inherent stake in other sustainable activities such as –

1. Design for reuse,
2. reduction of carbon and water footprints, 
3. use of renewable energy,
4. reduction of air pollution (greenhouse gases),
5. ethical treatment of labor,
6. adoption of product safety standards, 
7. safe use of dyestuffs & chemical treatments, 
8. use of biodegradable packaging and elimination of animal cruelty in the processing of fiber, leather, and furs.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF UPCYCLING:

1. Less energy consumption
2. Reducing textile waste
3. Preventing pollution
4. Creativity boost
5. Local community support
6. Encouraging sustainable practices

Humans have an unfortunate tendency of acting like the Earth is an unlimited resource. It is not. Scientists have repeatedly warned about the effects of Climate Change yet fast fashion is faster than ever before. And with fashion being one of the biggest polluters, sustainable fashion has the potential of making a positive impact in the fight against the Earth’s destruction. Sustainable Fashion, Ethical Fashion, Recycling and Upcycling are important in reducing the amount of water, chemicals, energy consumption and the excessive overflowing of landfills. It can help us to reduce our impact on the environment, people and animals.

UPCYCLE IN NEPAL

• Waste management is a major issue in our country, so many entrepreneurs have developed upcycling businesses by introducing it as a creative and long term solution.  
• Nepali social entrepreneurs may have adopted the concept of upcycling but they have taken it beyond the world of fashion to create items for everyday household usage from products that would usually be thrown at landfills.
• Many young people have found unique solutions to Nepal’s waste management problems while also creating unique products. 
• The purpose is not only to be fashionable and creative but also to address increasing environmental problems about waste, pollution. 
• Upcycling businesses in Nepal such as doko, khalisisi, dhaasoo, taalo, upcycle Nepal, shailee craft, HattiHatti etc have attracted a lot of attention for developing eco-friendly businesses.
• The companies are producing different items such as ornaments, home decor, souvenirs etc. To create new items, they clean, cut, modify, design and decorate waste materials.  
• Upcycling turns waste that would normally be pollutants into meaningful and useful products.
• Upcycling doesn’t take much of our time and it depends on materials that you are using and the way you are using. People also approach upcycle companies when they believe the upcycle companies can provide customized products that meet their needs and fit their budget.
• People that value design and art have found upcycling companies to be a great choice. The majority of upcycling companies customize their products to the requirements of their customers. As a result, companies continue to come up with new concepts.
• The most impactful aspects of the upcycling business is creating value and money from waste.