Upcycling is the process transforming the useless, unwanted material and using the product again with the greater value. It can be described as the process of recycling with the increased value of the materials i.e. upgrading of the product. It reduces the waste and improves the efficiency of resource use. Recycling process often breaks down materials to their basic units which are then processed into a new material of often less quality whereas in upcycling a new product is of either the same or higher quality. It reduces our carbon footprint as well as the aesthetic and creative value of the product is enhanced. 

The word “upcycling” originated from a news manuscript of Thornton Kay interviewed Reiner Pilz in 1994. In 2002, William McDonough and Michael Braungart clarified the concept of “upcycling” in a book named Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

The importance of upcycling are:

1. It increases the life of the product as the products are of higher quality.
   
2. It reduces the time to go into landfill. 
   
3. It makes the minimal use of natural resources. 
   
4. It increases the creativity of the people. Upcycling is also known as ‘Creative Reuse’.
   
5. It is the process of contributing to the mother earth by reducing waste.