What is Upcycling ?
Upcycling represents a variety of processes by which “old” products get to be modified and get a second life as they’re turned into a “new” product. In this way, thanks to the mix and aggregation of used materials, components and items, the end result is a “new product” with more value than the original value of the sum of all its components. In other others, upcycling is about materials or items that get to be re-adapted and/or re-purposed in a creative way, and whose lifespan is, therefore, expanded.
We don’t get newspaper deliveries anymore, but back when we did, we were really bad for letting the papers pile up. We mean really bad. Sometimes we’d save them to read later. Sometimes we’d save them to line the compost bin or cover the floor during craft time. Other times we’d just forget about them and leave them piled on a side table. We finally admitted we had a newspaper hoarding problem when we realized we had a pile so large that we could have built a whole new coffee table out of them (and wouldn’t that make a fun DIY tutorial)!
Our point is, if you’re also a bit of a newspaper hoarder, you’re not alone! You’re also not without options for using them, either. Instead of just dumped the whole lot in the recycle bin outside your building, try turning the papers into one of these 15 awesome upcycling DIY projects!
GreenREE Startup Story
GreenREE Startup Story
Hi, I am Vidhita – a student of grade 5. Few months back, in my younger sister’s school function I and my parents took a pledge to reuse and recycle the paper waste. Since then I started noticing that there are heaps of paper scrap lying at scrap shops. I asked my parents, Are these the same carton boxes which we get when we do online shopping. They said – Yes.
“What ??? – And what do they do with it ?”– I asked. My father told me that all of this goes to the recycling plant. Seeing my curiosity, my father who generally doesn’t allow me to watch videos on mobile – showed me some videos of paper recycling. My take away from those videos is recycling is good but definitely not the best way of saving the environment. It saves the life of some trees’ but in turn adds pollution to the environment too.
I recalled the pledge I took in school – Reuse and Recycle. I asked my parents again – “Can’t we reuse some paper rather than re-cycling all of it.” My parents agreed with me and said ok we will do something about it. My father put my idea on the website that I named – GreenREE – “Go Green through REusE and REducE the REcyclE.”
I have done what I could do. My parents have put lot of hard work to bring this idea to you. Rest is left for you to do @ www.greenree.com
Hope you will also give me opportunity to write one more story – GreenREE SUCCESS STORY
Yours Vidhita.
Plastic Vs Paper Bags – Fictions and Facts
Fiction: Many believe that paper bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags because they are made from a renewable resource, can biodegrade, and are recyclable.
Fact: Plastic shopping bags outperform paper bags environmentally – on manufacturing, on reuse, and on solid waste volume and generation.
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Studies
- 2011 U.K. Government Environment Agency Study
http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/SCHO0711BUAN-E-E.pdf - Scottish Government Report, 2005
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/57346/0016899.pdf - ULS March, 2008
Revised Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Relating to Grocery Bags
- ULS June, 2007
Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Data Relating to Grocery Bags - Boustead Associates, North America
http://savetheplasticbag.com/UploadedFiles/2007%20Boustead%20report.pdf - Ecobilan–Carrefours Study ecol bilan (Évaluation des impacts environnementaux des sacs de caisse, February 2004, #300940BE8):
French: Ecobilan–Carrefours Study ecol bilan Évaluation des impacts environnementaux des sacs de caisse Carrefour à base d’amidon de maïs. L’ACV a été réalisée par Ecobilan à partir des données recueillies auprès des fournisseurs de sacs. http://www.ademe.fr/sites/default/files/assets/documents/28300_acv_sacs_carrefour_2004.pdfEnglish: Ecobilan-Carrefours Study
Did you know – “It takes 24 litres of water to recycle 1kg of newspaper”
Save Water, Avoid Air and Water pollution by adopting newspaper bags, Reuse Newspaper, Save Nature..
See Why we should Reuse the newspapers and minimize recycling the paper waste.
Paper Recycling is one of the most expensive recycling process and recycled paper is only 25% more efficient than paper from wood
Upcycling is the need of future
Myth: Formal Up-cycling programs take livelihood away from poor trash pickers, so it’s better to just let newspapers go to needy, They can sell it to recycling plants and get money. Upcyclers are new in market, They may not give that much money
Saving Nature should save Money. Cost of living comes down when Natural resources are used properly, Once upcycled products pick up market, Trash value will increase and poor trash pickers will get more money.
Article on GreenREE thoughts published on Jan 4,2020
