indoors , many people had to convert spaces in their homes into working areas . Previously discarded items were refurbished into decorative and functional pieces . Old doors that laid in garages became workbenches and desks after being cleaned , sanded down and perhaps even painted . In some instances , there was a need to be creative with how space was used as there was more than one person in the household that needed to work from home and children needed “ school ” space as well .
Cleaned and painted old tires , done partly as a distraction and a break from being at home , are now stools that do not take up too much space , are easy to move around and can be used indoors and out .
Tires can also be used to grow smaller herbs in the garden or even on a balcony which will allow easier access to fresh produce and save on time and travel to obtain these .
The article in Earth Hero published on 20 June 2018 , shows that the process of getting started on upcycling is broken down into three steps .
Step 1 : Be prepared
There must be a plan of action before you cut , hammer or glue anything . This includes the tools you are going to use and your raw upcycled materials . It all starts with proper planning . So , plan and be prepared .
Step 2 : Get creative
There are many innovative ideas available out there in the form of Pinterest boards , upcycling company sites on Google and DIY tutorials .
Use your imagination and do not let the intended use of an item discourage you from transforming it into something totally different and unique .
Step 3 : Reach out to your community
Before you throw away something in good condition that could be upcycled , first reach out to your local or online communities and see if anyone has a way to repurpose the item .
Upcycling allows waste to become more functional and allows for less filling of refuse landfills that will take decades to break down , dumping into the ocean that confuses marine life and results in the extinction of underwater species , including plants . The incineration of waste adds to the emission of gases into the air , bringing about poorer air quality .
Upcycling could afford us the opportunity to do our bit to leave the only planet we have in better shape than when we found it .
So , before getting rid of something “ old ”, see if you can upcycle it and make it “ new ”.
Jaynashree Ellary
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