What Is Upcycling?

Upcycled Christmas Ornaments by StartTalkingVintage

What is Upcycling?
The word Upcycle, is a term that in very recent years has become quite important in terms of sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. By definition, ‘upcycle’ is a verb meaning to reuse, to take something discarded and create something new out of it. Something of higher value and use then it’s original predecessor. Ever see a wine bottle light? That’s upcycling! Recently we posted on our Facebook page a how-to for turning old jeans into a cute gardening apron - this is also upcycling! No waste and reused.

What is the difference between Upcycling and Recycling?
Recycling is a term we are all familiar with. Many of us recycle weekly in our communities and as part of our trash pick up. By definition, to recycle means to use again in it’s original form or with minimum alteration. To pass through a cycle again, hence the term RE-cycle.

The major difference between these two processes is that with recycling, the item ultimately will become trash at some point. It’s use is stretched out as far as it can go before becoming trash. You may have purchased recycled paper before, or drank from recycled bottles. These are items that already once were paper or bottles and have put through the process a second time to become their intended use once more. Upcycling, however, is not put through a second cycle, it is completely re-purposed into a different object or item that is less likely to become trash again. For example, it’s very popular to upcycle clothing. Cutting up an old sweater to repurpose it into fingerless gloves and a hat. There is a whole movement of artists and craftspeople who make nothing but upcycled products or present DIY how to’s on making your own upcycled goodness.

Why is Upcycling So Important?
Our great country is overflowing with too much trash! Waste has a negative effect on our environment with the release of chemicals and greenhouse gases from our landfills. The amount of waste we create is constantly increasing. As our world population continues to grow, the waste will also continue to grow. It’s only a matter of time before we run out of space or worse, destroy our environment. By reducing and reusing, we can stretch that time out. And save our planet for future generations.

Some of our Nutmeg Collective team mates already incorporate recycling and upcycling into their businesses everyday!

Upcycled Mixed Media Art Doll, Letter Opener by WrenInAWillow

Upcycled Swingy Silver Hinge Earrings by TheTinyWren.

Recycled Vintage Southwestern Cowboy Jacket by ValleyVintageLLC

Feeling inspired? Here are some fun and innovative resources for doing some upcycling of your own! It is truly limitless the amount of projects you can pick from. Furniture, displays, clothing, accessories, jewelry, lamps, gadgets, fine art. Go forth and upcycle!

http://www.upcyclethat.com - Great blog dedicated to upcycling projects and their creators.

http://upcycledtreasures.com/ - Blog by an everyday upcycler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAD4fYsEjFQ&list=PL5DE33D5E20649F97 - Over 1000 upcycling DIY project tutorials.

Valley Vintage is a combination of style from Jillian Lyons and Matthew Sensenig, vintage enthusiasts and partners in both love and business. They are located in the town of Seymour, CT nestled in the heart of the All American Valley! Their collection consists of vintage clothing and items that they simply can't resist. Nothing enters the Valley Vintage shop unless both Jillian and Matthew see something special about it. Everything is hand picked and curated together. They hope you'll see that something special in their picks too!

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Save Money (and the Environment) with Recycled Packing Materials

As a vintage seller, owner of Start Talking Vintage of Manchester, CT, I love finding something old and making it new again, through giving it a new home or upcycling it for some modern appeal. 

I value being able to re-use, which is why I find such joy in re-purposing vintage materials. My passion for "recycling" doesn't stop just there- I also pack my sold orders using recycled materials. Not only is it extremely cost effective, but also beneficial to the environment!

Photo credit:  Windell Oskay

Tips on how to use recycled packing and shipping materials:

1. Save save save! I squirrel away old newspapers, used tissue paper and packing materials from things that I buy for my personal use. I have a spot in my attic for paper products that could easily be used for packaging. 

2. Make your own paper shred! I personally do not like to package with advertisement flyers from other stores- but the light weight material is perfect for packing. I use a small paper shredder to shred newspaper inserts. I mix the weekly sales shredded paper with kraft paper shred that I also shred myself- using those brown paper bags from the grocery store! 

Here you can see my handmade vintage music score ornaments 

packed snug with my own paper shred, straight from my shredder! 

3. Reach out to your friends and family and have them save their newspapers , cardboard boxes and other papers that would be suitable for packing for you! When your friends order online, ask them to save the boxes and the packing materials that their orders were shipped in!

4. Try The Freecycle Network. Freecycle is a website where you can post things you are looking to give away for free, as well as things you are looking to get- for free! The site is broken up by town, so all the listings you look at are local. I have responded to offers for bubble wrap, packing peanuts and boxes - where I simply had to connect with the person offering the free materials via email, where we arranged for me to pick-up. I have also made "wanted" posts for packing materials and have gotten offers for items. The premise of the website is just as it's name sounds- to recycle materials you have by giving them away for free to someone who can use them. Not only can you get packing materials from Freecycle, but you can also get printers, clothing, furniture and other household items people are looking to part with. I have gotten a sewing machine from the site!

5. Mix recycled materials with purchased ones. I never skimp on packing materials, especially when I am shipping fragile items. I also have a supply of new bubble wrap, boxes and packing peanuts that I have purchase, because sometimes my recycled materials need some more support in protecting my products.

6. Keep your materials attractive looking- always make sure they are clean! Just because it is recycled doesn't mean it should look like you personally picked it out of your neighbors recycling bin. I use a stamp that I had customized of my store logo on newspapers, tissue paper and kraft paper packaging. I also incorporate using baker's twine and other frills to pretty up my packaging. Branding can be everything!

7. Keep the recycling process going! I like to include a card in my packaging that says "The packing materials enclosed have been recycled. Please do your part and keep the cycle going!" This reminds my customers to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Enjoy finding materials to use in creative ways to ship your products!


Written by Jessica Marie of Start Talking Vintage. Jessica is a 21 year old college student who has developed a passion for all things vintage and the rich history they carry. She enjoys treasure hunting for historic beauties at estate sales, crafting, sewing and DIY projects, especially those that upcycle vintage items and give then new, modern appeal. She is studying Early Childhood Development and Education with the future aspiration of being a preschool teacher- but will never leave her old-soul vintage passion or eye for design behind.