Upcycling
Upcycling is currently defined as 'the process of converting an industrial nutrient (material) into something of similar or greater value, in its second life'.
The value could be considered as the value of a resource or an increased monetary value. However, what is important to consider is not only the enhanced value of the new product but also the total amount of energy used in converting this product. This is called the imbedded energy of the product, in which the total carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) required to produce a product is considered.
Taking imbedded energy into consideration, the new upcycling definition could be “the process of converting an industrial nutrient (material) into something of greater value, in its second life, by means of minimal energy expenditure”.
Also important to consider, is that at least 80% of a products environmental impact is set at the design stage, therefore it is logical to approach the potential of upcycling at the design stage, where products are engineered at the production stage to have a range of ‘potential’ uses during their lifetime (i.e. design-led upcycling).
Taking design into consideration, upcycling could be further defined as “the process of engineering a product of eco design into something of greater value, in its second life, by means of minimal energy expenditure, where eco design products are engineered to have a range of uses during their lifetime”.
