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Monday, January 7, 2013

Upcycling


Bob sent me a link on recycling the other night. There was a whole list of “cycles” but the ones that caught my eye were Upcycle and Downcycle. We like the theme “Reduce/Reuse/Recycle for our Full Cycle Soap so I was interested in the up to date definitions and how they might apply to Fulll Cycle Soap.

Downcycling is reusing or recycling a product for a second, lesser quality purpose in order to keep it from becoming waste. This is like when plastics are recycled into mixed, lesser quality but usable plastics. White writing paper is recycled into cardboard. Downcycling often creates a less expensive product and keeps waste out of the landfill.

Upcycling is creating useful items from recycled material while maintaining an equal or greater value. Recycled aluminum and glass can be examples of this. I bought a great truck for my grandson. It was made in the USA by Green Toys. It’s a good, sturdy truck complete with a race car, Colton’s favorite thing. It is made entirely from recycled milk jugs. Definitely upcycling. 

Many craft and decorating projects are examples of upcycling. There is a constant flow of repurposing ideas on sites such as Pinterest. Many magazines are dedicated to the reuse of vintage and antique items and used furniture. There is a large market for doors, fixtures, windows, trim, moldings, etc. taken from older, quality homes. Every time one of these ideas is used we save resources and, again, keep waste out of the landfills.

One of my favorite examples of upcycling is demonstrated by women in third world and underdeveloped countries. These women take items, such plastic bags, fabrics and other scrap or natural materials and make them, often by hand, into useful and beautiful products such as purses, totes, rugs, and jewelry. This goes way beyond upcycling or recycling. This creates a better life them and their families.  Please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.kingdom-ventures.com/" http://www.kingdom-ventures.com/

So, how does this apply to Full Cycle Soap? Bob starts with used vegetable oil and converts that to environmentally friendly fuel. He then takes the glycerin by product (waste) of the fuel and finishes it into liquid glycerin soap. Two new, high quality products, each with a new purpose. Products that go right back into the environment with no harm and no further waste. Can’t get much more Upcycle than that.


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