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

Meanwhile, her Instagram following continued to grow, and other brands emailed her project inquiries—a video series with Depop about her work, for example, and an opportunity to teach an upcycling workshop with footwear retail giant Foot Locker. —Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025

Similarly, the mega-wide legs on fluid trousers and the patchwork on an overall style reflected the brand's commitment to upcycling remnants, a hallmark of its approach. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

One of its ventures is ReTex, an initiative that collects old hotel linens and transforms them into new products through recycling and upcycling. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Aug. 2025

As a bonus, once the candle burns down, the glass jar can be upcycled as a catchall or candy dish. —Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upcycle

• cycle
• motorcycle
• recycle