Upcycling Day 2023: Upcycling Day occurs annually on June 24 and is a global observance of reusing and repurposing old items so that they are not wasted. Upcycling is the process of repurposing obsolete recyclable metal, glass, or wood materials into something new, thereby giving the material a second chance at life. Why not take advantage of this day to upcycle the dozens or hundreds of items in your home that can be reused? “Old is gold, and gold never goes out of style.”
HISTORY OF UPCYCLING DAY
Two German engineers, William McDonough and Michael Braungart, devised the term upcycling in 1994 to describe the modification and re-engineering of old items so that they can be reused and thus given a second life. The concept of recycling already existed, as waste metal, glass, and paper were recycled. What distinguishes upcycling from recycling? Therefore, let us clarify the distinction.
Recycling is the process of destroying refuse and reusing it to create something new, such as melting scrap metal, processing it, and then using it to create a new product. Upcycling is distinctive in that it utilises refuse in its existing form to create something new, such as a flower vase made from an empty wine bottle. By upcycling, you can give a natural material a second life without spending a lot of money on recycling, and you can also meet a current need.
Since the term ‘upcycling’ was coined, the concept has spread and individuals have begun to utilise waste in innovative ways. In 2002, it was ultimately decided to celebrate upcycling as a public awareness campaign to encourage the conservation of recyclable materials such as metal, glass, paper, and anything else that can be reused. With the rise of social media, a plethora of new websites, such as YouTube, have emerged with suggestions for repurposing common refuse.
Since then, this day has been observed as a day to search for items that can be transformed into useful items while having fun, being inventive, and conserving valuable raw materials.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT UPCYCLING DAY
21% of the whole
21% of Americans recycle the preponderance of recyclable materials, such as clothing, boxes, and glass, according to a survey.
16,9 million metric tonnes of textiles waste
In the United States alone, approximately 17 million tonnes of textile waste are generated annually.
Recycling is costly.
Recycling was never inexpensive; it merely prevented the disposal of items that could be reused.
Develops the intellect
When you have nothing but garbage in front of you, it requires all of your mental creativity to create something new; if you succeed, it demonstrates that you have a keen mind.
Three pounds of carbon dioxide conserved.
By reusing one pound of discarded clothing, three to four pounds of carbon dioxide gas can be avoided.
UPCYCLING DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 24 | Saturday |
| 2024 | June 24 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 24 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | June 24 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | June 24 | Thursday |
