In elementary school, it's likely you learned about "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", otherwise known as "The 3 R's". Upcycling is a form of reuse, and in my experience, reuse is one of the most effective ways to reduce individual waste production, as it allows an option for those who may not otherwise have the ability to reduce intake, or access to recycling programs.

Creative reuse is also something that has been used in human societies for thousands of years. Indigenous civilizations using parts of an animal's bone and pelt for clothing and weaponry, southern grandmothers washing out her butter tub for Tupperware (as mine did for the entirety of her life), and a college student keeping every glass jar they come across to use as a water glass, food storage, pencil holder or whatever else they dream up, are all examples of creative reuse!

Upcycling in recent years has had a mix reaction on social media, as many collectors of the items being upcycled view this creative reuse as disrespectful to the artistry of the original crafter. While this take is not entirely untrue, I think it's valuable to look at the reality that, at least specifically with the fashion and jewelry industry, there are, on average, approximately 18 tons of textile waste that are sent to landfills every single year. Whether the piece is an expertly crafted work of art, or a plastic party necklace, if this piece is not used, appreciated, or kept in good repair it's likely destined to become apart of those 18 tons of waste. Which is where upcycling comes in.

As I am not an expert on this topic, and would never claim to be so, I want to provide some resources below to help enrich your knowledge on reuse, upcycling, and waste reduction. If you have any resources you'd like to share with me, or you think would find a good home on this page, please reach out via Instagram or Facebook!