upcycle

verb

up·​cy·​cle ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl 

upcycled; upcycling

transitive verb

: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item : to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)

The line upcycles single-use plastic bags that are cleaned and brought in from Bali, Indonesia, and parts of California for use as the main material in the shoes. In the company's first year more than 175,000 plastic bags were reused to create footwear and accessories.

—Melissa Magsaysay

upcycling noun

Examples of upcycle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Egg cartons can be reused and upcycled all around the home, from kids' craft supplies to in-a-pinch organization products. —Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025

Then there are those brides who are upcycling their wedding dresses. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025

Best of all, post-holiday season, the advent calendar can be upcycled as a chic storage case. $750 at Dior $887 at Harrod's Transport yourself (or your lucky gift recipient) to France with Ladurée's Iconic advent calendar. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023

In terms of sustainability, the property deserves some green cred for upcycling a historic building and rejuvenating this parcel of once-private property. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above