UPCYCLING AROUND THE WORLD

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-product waste materials, useless or unwanted products into new materials or products perceived to be of greater quality as artistic value or environmental value. In order words, upcycling represents a variety of processes by which "old" products get to be modified and get a second life as they are turned into "new" products. The upcycling products range from complex to simple and incorporate a wide variety of materials. 

The generation of waste and waste management around the world, (particularly in developing countries which cannot afford the appropriate technology and resources) pose major threats to the environment and the planet. The lack of effective waste management strategies and resources for waste management in many countries have been a major challenge to those countries, the environment and the world at large. These have contributed to environmental pollution and climate change. For example, in some countries where simple and modern waste management technologies cannot be afforded, solid waste is burnt openly or in poorly constructed incinerators. This contributes directly or indirectly to air and other forms of pollution, which also negatively impacts on climate change. 

The textile and fashion industries around the world, are some of the several fields of life where upcycling has been beneficial so far. 

Upcycling reduces cloth and textile waste by reusing dead stock or gently used fabric to create new garment and products. This includes the performance of value added activity on material or disassembled garment in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. Slow fashion on the other hand, is a programme of designing, creating and consuming garments for quality and longevity. 

For example, in my native country, Ghana, some aspects of upcycling in the textile and fashion industries have been in existence for several decades. One of such aspects is where pieces of used or new fabrics waste are put together to create new fashion clothing or other fashion designs. This is called in local parlance, "Nsaasaawa", by the Twi speaking people of Ghana. 

There are several forms of upcycling in the textile and fashion industries around the world. 

Plastic waste is one of the major menace and threats to the environment. Plastic waste pollution has devastating effects on the soil, water bodies and other spheres of life. This situation is even more serious in developing and other countries around the world, which do not have the resources and technologies to manage or handle plastic waste. However, new products can be manufactured from plastic waste through upcycling. Again, in Ghana for example, through innovation and creativity, some people have been able to use polythene and other plastic wastes to manufacture products like wallets, footwear, door curtains, hand bags, travelling bags, key holders and many more. In these cases, there is value addition to the plastic waste which could have posed a danger to the environment. 

Through upcycling, many waste products can be turned around to be of benefit to mankind. 

Upcycling impacts positively on circular economy, which  in turn contributes to sustainable economy and environment. This also contributes to the reduction in climate change, waste and pollution. 

Upcycling has positive impact on the efforts to save our planet from environmental degradation and also contribute to the efforts to have clean air, clean water, clean environment, greener Planet as well as sustainable economy and environment, among others. 

The world is encouraged to embrace such environmentally friendly, innovative ideas, as upcycling, in order to save our planet and also make the world a better place.