upcycle
verb
up·cy·cle
ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl 
upcycled; upcycling
: 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
Melissa Magsaysay
upcycling
noun
Examples of upcycle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Aside from simply providing employment, upcycling is also stimulating work, where individual tailors have the creative freedom to figure out what items might blend best together.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Her own mother regularly re-wears pieces from her wardrobe, and previously upcycled her Alexander McQueen dress from the 2019 BAFTAs for the same event in 2023.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
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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
Aside from simply providing employment, upcycling is also stimulating work, where individual tailors have the creative freedom to figure out what items might blend best together.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Her own mother regularly re-wears pieces from her wardrobe, and previously upcycled her Alexander McQueen dress from the 2019 BAFTAs for the same event in 2023.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
Cite this Entry
“Upcycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upcycle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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