Definition of downcycle
downcycled;
downcycling;
downcycles
:to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a lower value than the original item :to create an object of lesser value from (a discarded object of higher value)
- Other companies that claim to recycle carpet actually “downcycle” it, taking used carpet, chopping it up, and reusing it in lower-grade products such as carpet backing.
- —Hunter L. Lovins and Amory B. Lovins, Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, 22 Dec. 2000
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downcycling
noun-
- Traditional recycling is sometimes described as downcycling because the quality of the material degrades with each life cycle. Recycled paper isn't as nice as newly printed paper; recycled steel isn't as strong as newly forged steel.
- —Paul McFedries, IEEE Spectrum, October 2008
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