Recycling, upcycling and downcycling: what these terms mean
RECYCLING (pronounced: riseikling) means that waste is collected, separated and recycled in its individual parts. Example: the new bottles are made from old glass bottles. Good to know: Translated from English, “Re” means “one more time”. “Cycle” is translated “the circuit”.
UPCYCLING (pronounced: apseikling) means to create new things from things that are no longer usable, old or broken. Example: A new purse is sewn from ripped jeans (pronounced jins). When upcycling, the end product is often worth more than the original merchandise. Upcycling is also popular in art. Good to know: “Up” comes from English and means “upwards”.
DOWNCYCLING (pronounced: daunseikling): The raw materials of old goods are recycled. However, the raw materials are no longer as good as in the starting product. Example: when waste paper is turned into toilet paper. Good to know: “Down” means “down, down”.
