You know all about recycling. But what do you know about up-cycling?
If all you're doing is throwing things in the recycle bin each week, you're missing a big opportunity to protect the planet.
"Up-cycling is the process of taking non-recyclable material that can't be traditionally recycled and finding a way to directly re-purpose it into a new product. By doing that, you're giving it a new life cycle thus you're up-cycling it," explained Albe Zakes, TerraCycle.
The once-wacky environmental concept is now taking hold, and even the 2010 Olympic medals are being made out of recycled electronics.
The fashion world is on board with designers who are proving environmentally friendly can be fashion-friendly too.
Even mainstream stores like Walmart, Target and Home Depot are carrying re-made merchandise or sending their waste to stores that up-cycle.
"People have found not only is it good for the planet, but it's good for business as well," said Zakes.
And it's good for customers who love to turn trash into treasure.
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