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

Ask a tailor or upcycling designer what is realistic before cutting anything fragile or rare. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

When upcycling clothes preserves the memory Some pieces are too meaningful to sell but not practical to wear. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

The tables and chairs left by the owners of the former Green Room will be upcycled by a local artist. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

Dispose of outdated cookware responsibly by recycling, donating, or upcycling instead of simply throwing it away. — Kelly Vaughan, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above