What's Up with Upcycling?
The term 'upcycling' originates from the book 'Cradle to Cradle - Remaking the Way We Make Things', by William McDonough and Michael Braungart that came out in 2002. Since then it's been a sort of guidebook for folks like me, who believe strongly in the 3 R's - Reusing, Reducing and Recycling. It's a way of life for me, as well as the foundation of my business. Although there are folks going green all around me, I would've expected a bigger eco-boom in the eight years 'Cradle to Cradle' has been out... so I ask myself: what's up with upcycling?
I had the advantage growing up that my parents were designers, and both had a very nomadic way of thinking. Our furniture and belongings represented that mentality. We moved around, so everything had to be easy to take apart and put back together again. My brothers and I slept on beds made out of old doors, read by lamps made out of styrofoam cups (before they were abolished!) and played on jungle gyms constructed from huge plastic sewage piping, to name but a few examples. My dad even wrote a book about it, together with a colleague Victor Papanek, called 'Nomadic Furniture'.
So I was raised knowing if I wanted something, I could just as easily build it myself out of existing materials than buy it at a store. It's no mystery why I am passionate about my business, which is completely based on re-using.
And yet I find myself in a minority. Upcycling, for me, goes without saying. Just like turning off the lights when I leave a room, or shutting off the faucet while I brush my teeth. But that's just it - these little things just aren't common knowledge for everyone. Just because I was born 'green', doesn't mean everybody was!
When it comes to my business in upcycled clothing, I realize there is still a stigma out there, that the value of a new product goes downhill as soon as its purchased. After something has been used or worn a few times, it might as well be thrown away. I can see endless possibilities in a secondhand garment, while someone else sees junk. I consider it a gift, and I strive to inspire others to see the value in used materials too. I offer all sorts of fun MIY (Make It Yourself) projects on my site, from recipes to peek-a-boo dolls - all you need to do them is a little imagination and a few hours on a rainy day!
Upcycling is also very simply the way to go when it comes to giving our environment a break, which is struggling as it is. By using what we've got right in our own backyards, attics or basements, we won't have to create any extra co2 in the production, importing and exporting of new stuff. And besides all this, upcycling demands creativity. It forces you to come up with a creative solution, challenges you reinvent, rethink and reuse. I don't know about you, but I love a challenge...
So I guess I upcycle, therefore I am.
I had the advantage growing up that my parents were designers, and both had a very nomadic way of thinking. Our furniture and belongings represented that mentality. We moved around, so everything had to be easy to take apart and put back together again. My brothers and I slept on beds made out of old doors, read by lamps made out of styrofoam cups (before they were abolished!) and played on jungle gyms constructed from huge plastic sewage piping, to name but a few examples. My dad even wrote a book about it, together with a colleague Victor Papanek, called 'Nomadic Furniture'.
So I was raised knowing if I wanted something, I could just as easily build it myself out of existing materials than buy it at a store. It's no mystery why I am passionate about my business, which is completely based on re-using.
Here's Kirsten wearing a mialeentje pants set
And yet I find myself in a minority. Upcycling, for me, goes without saying. Just like turning off the lights when I leave a room, or shutting off the faucet while I brush my teeth. But that's just it - these little things just aren't common knowledge for everyone. Just because I was born 'green', doesn't mean everybody was!
When it comes to my business in upcycled clothing, I realize there is still a stigma out there, that the value of a new product goes downhill as soon as its purchased. After something has been used or worn a few times, it might as well be thrown away. I can see endless possibilities in a secondhand garment, while someone else sees junk. I consider it a gift, and I strive to inspire others to see the value in used materials too. I offer all sorts of fun MIY (Make It Yourself) projects on my site, from recipes to peek-a-boo dolls - all you need to do them is a little imagination and a few hours on a rainy day!
Upcycling is also very simply the way to go when it comes to giving our environment a break, which is struggling as it is. By using what we've got right in our own backyards, attics or basements, we won't have to create any extra co2 in the production, importing and exporting of new stuff. And besides all this, upcycling demands creativity. It forces you to come up with a creative solution, challenges you reinvent, rethink and reuse. I don't know about you, but I love a challenge...
So I guess I upcycle, therefore I am.
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