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

ArtPop also has an upcycling program that uses non-digital billboards to create couture fashion, keeping over 13,000 square feet of vinyl out of landfills annually, Hickey said. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026

Some of them, part of the Re-Love upcycling capsule collection, were crafted from deadstock and worn with a tie, which also featured different patterns on the front and back. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026

The acronym is a direct reference to these textile blends’ chemical abbreviations (polyester and cotton) and the project’s primary goal (upcycling). —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2026

Instead of letting that plastic pile up, the team focused on upcycling it into something valuable. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upcycle

• cycle
• motorcycle
• recycle