Recycling vs Upcycling vs Downcycling
It’s a bit ironic that many of us grew up hearing “reuse, reduce, and recycle,” yet now we’re facing a serious climate crisis that’s pushing us to rethink everything. Back then, all it took was a bit of creativity to find new uses for scrap paper before tossing it out.
Today, recycling is often highlighted as a key part of sustainability when businesses talk about making positive changes. However, recycling isn’t always the whole story. It’s more effective to specify which type of recycling is involved.
In this post, we’ll dive into the differences between recycling, upcycling, and downcycling, and share some of our favorite examples from brands doing it right.
Recycling
Ever wondered what happens to your old jeans when you toss them into the recycling bin? Or what your POMP essential t-shirt is really made of?
Recycling isn’t just about separating trash. It’s about giving textiles (and other materials) a second life, turning used items into new ones without losing their original essence.
At the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, we found out that brands produce around 92 million tons of textile waste every year—thanks, in large part, to fast fashion. Recycling helps reduce this waste and cuts down on the energy and water needed to produce new fabrics, shrinking our overall environmental footprint.
Of course, there are some downsides. The quality of materials can decrease as fibers break down during the recycling process (we cover more on this in our post about sustainable fashion challenges). Plus, not everything can be recycled, and contamination is sometimes an issue. But with more awareness and active participation, we can all contribute to a greener fashion industry. Recycling your old clothes doesn’t take much effort, but the collective impact of those actions is promising.
Here are three brands that use recycled materials in their products:
- Makes: Organic cotton clothing
- Price range: £
- Recycled material: Cotton
- Based in: UK
You probably know us for our organic cotton basics—all made with GOTS-certified organic cotton. But did you know about our Recycled Range? It includes our #ShowYourStripes collaboration, featuring the warming stripes graphic by Professor Ed Hawkins. We collect your old POMP pieces (just scan the QR code on the care label for instructions) and turn them into new clothes.
Plus, we only produce on demand to avoid overproduction. What’s not to love?
- Makes: Circular footwear
- Price range: ££
- Recycled materials: Plastic bottles, rubber
- Based in: US
These sneakers aren’t just made from recycled materials like natural rubber and plastic bottles—they’re designed to be recyclable, too.
UpcyclingThousand Fell creates full-circle footwear, meaning their shoes are built to last and designed to be recycled. Their mission is all about making sure nothing ends up in a landfill. Every material is carefully chosen for its ability to biodegrade, recycle, or upcycle. And if you’re done with your kicks, you can send them back for credit. They accept all brands, and anything that can’t be recycled is donated to those in need. You can find more details on their SuperCircle program here.
- Makes: Eco-conscious jewelry
- Price range: £££
- Recycled materials: Sterling silver, gold vermeil, 14K gold
- Based in: Spain
Jewelry has always been a symbol of style and status, but the fine gems trade has its share of human rights issues. Just like we’re becoming more mindful of the clothing brands we support, why not do the same with our accessories?
Mila Sai is all about local production in Spain, working closely with glass and metal artisans. Every piece is handmade, so no two are exactly alike, making each one truly special. The glass comes from discarded bottles and other glass objects, while the metals like silver and gold are recycled. Want to learn more? Check them out here.
Upcycling
Let’s talk upcycling! It’s a practice that might have been a bit misunderstood in the past, but now it’s definitely trending.
In case you didn’t know, upcycling is a form of recycling, but with a twist—the end product is actually more valuable than what it started as. It’s about not just keeping resources in use but giving them a boost in value. Imagine a jacket made from scraps of denim or a tote bag crafted from leftover leather. These are real examples of upcycled products. Just look at brands like Sukkha Citta and Vaan & Co.!
But upcycling isn’t always easy. Finding a steady supply of the right materials and ensuring the quality of the final product can be tricky. Still, as the fashion industry gets more creative and innovative, upcycling is proving to be a big win for sustainability.
Here are a few more brands that are doing great things with upcycled goods:
- Makes: Upcycled clothing
- Price range: £££
- Upcycled materials: Deadstock fabric and unsold inventory
- Based in: South Korea
RE;CODE is all about sustainability, creativity, and responsibility. They focus on using leftover textiles and unsold inventory to create their pieces. They also choose raw materials that are eco-friendly. Plus, they provide jobs and support for socially disadvantaged groups like single moms and North Korean defectors. To top it all off, RE;CODE offers repair and refurbishment services, so you’ll never have to toss your clothes.
- Makes: Ethically-made clothing
- Price range: ££
- Upcycled materials: Deadstock sari fabric
- Based in: Germany
Yahmo, based in Berlin, takes a more personal approach by partnering with a family-run tailor shop in Mumbai, India, since 2016. They’re not just about fair working conditions but also about storytelling through their vintage-inspired pieces. Their Upcycled Collection is a highlight, featuring limited-edition clothes made from unused Indian sari fabrics. In an industry full of exploitative practices, Yahmo stands out as a model of integrity.
- Makes: Few-of-a-kind womenswear
- Price range: £££
- Upcycled materials: Vintage fabric
- Based in: US
girl of the earth is the brainchild of Ruby Sinclair, who grew up with antique-dealer parents in New York. What makes her brand unique is that every garment is made from vintage fabrics dating from 1930 to 1999. Ruby’s unconventional supply chain involves building lifelong relationships with vintage suppliers, flea market owners, and even quirky grandmas. It’s a labor of love, but girl of the earth is proof that sustainable fashion and personal style can go hand in hand.
Downcycling
And finally, let’s talk about downcycling.
Downcycling is another type of recycling, but it involves breaking materials down into simpler, often lower-quality forms. Think of it as turning your favorite organic cotton t-shirt into something less exciting, like a dish rag or a tote bag made from an old canvas print.
But downcycling isn’t all bad! It still helps reduce waste and keeps things out of landfills. However, we need to think about the bigger picture. If we keep downcycling without tackling the root causes of fashion waste, it’s just a temporary solution. After all, if someone buys a new wardrobe every season, even those downcycled items will eventually need to be tossed out.
Also Read: Starting a Community Recycling Program
In summary
To make it easier, here’s a quick rundown of the main differences (and similarities) between recycling, upcycling, and downcycling:
- Recycling is all about reusing a resource over and over.
- Upcycling and downcycling are both forms of recycling, but they aren’t the same.
- Recycling keeps the value of the material.
- Upcycling boosts the value.
- Downcycling reduces the value.
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