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

Takashi Murakami has teamed with Japanese designer Yuta Hosokawa, who is behind cult upcycling label Readymade, on a spring 2026 capsule collection unveiled during Paris men’s fashion week. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 27 June 2025

Through upcycling Ives crafts garments that center Black women—not as muses, but as collaborators and cultural architects. —Essence, 16 June 2025

Reusing or upcycling items (e.g., repairing phones and tech) is a way to save on costs and resources. —Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Princess Kate has also been known to wear plenty of bows on her dresses, even adding them to past outfits in order to upcycle a favorite look and wear it again. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upcycle

• cycle
• motorcycle
• recycle