What is upcycling?
The upcycling method, or upward re-processing, is defined as bringing waste back into the consumption chain through design by placing it higher up in the chain than it previously was – this includes environmental as well as commercial and aesthetical value – while also accounting for the product’s future. (McDonough & Braungart, 2002). In other words, upcycling is taking something of little or no value (“waste”) and redesigning it to add value.
What is UPMADE®?
UPMADE® is a design method and manufacturing certification that applies upcycling on an industrial scale. Through clever design and production, brands and manufacturers can reduce the amount of textile waste they produce. And you can feel good knowing that you are supporting businesses that are reducing the toll of consumption on our planet.Buy UPMADE® Products:
Reet Aus – The collections of fashion designer Reet Aus are made by implementing the UPMADE® method in the early stages of the mass production process. This has improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact — each produced item uses an average of 70% less water and 88% less energy compared to a regular product.
Up-shirt – Up-shirts are 100% upcycled t-shirts. All the shirts are made from leftover materials, so no new fabric is produced to make these shirts. Each t-shirt saves an average of 91% water and produces 85% less CO2 emissions. Up-shirt clients include the Estonian Song and Dance Festival 2014 (23,000 Up-shirts), the Festival of Opinion Culture 2014, Nordea financial services, F-Hoone restaurant and others.