Upcycling

A list of selected resources for adults to help you turn trash into treasure

Recycling=Using waste as material to manufacture a new product. Recycling involves altering the physical form of an object or material and making a new object from the altered material.

Upcyling=transforming waste material, in its original form, into new something new, different, and (at times) beautiful! Upcycling can also be called "reusing" or "repurposing."

Why Recycle?
"Every year, the United States generates approximately 230 million tons of "trash"--about 4.6 pounds per person per day. Less than one-quarter of it is recycled; the rest is incinerated or buried in landfills. With a little forethought, we could reuse or recycle more than 70 percent of the landfilled waste, which includes valuable materials such as glass, metal, and paper. This would reduce the demand on virgin sources of these materials and eliminate potentially severe environmental, economic, and public health problems."
-From Garbage: How can my community reduce waste?

Books | Websites | Projects

Books

The Library subscribes to BookLetters, a service that chooses great reading every month in a variety of categories. BookLetters is linked to FPL's Catalog, so you can click through from the book lists to see if we own the book and place a hold on the book. Click here for a list of books on Upcycling.

Websites

Crafting a Green World - http://craftingagreenworld.com/
DIY for environmentalists.

Craftster - http://www.craftster.org/
Craftster.org is a crafting community that includes craft forums, diy craft projects, and craft ideas for members and casual viewers.

Craftzine - http://craftzine.com/
Craft is the first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. The companion website has great project tutorials.

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/
An online marketplace for handmade items. Visit to shop or get inspired. Check out the blog for DIY tutorials and testimonials.

Instructables - http://www.instructables.com/
Instructables is the Biggest How To and DIY community where people make and share inspiring, entertaining, and useful projects, recipes, and hacks.

ReadyMade - http://www.readymade.com/blogs/readymade
DIY home decor and home improvement.

Recycled Crafts - http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/
CraftGossip covers news written by craft people telling you about all the good stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you.

Trash to Treasure Crafts - http://familycrafts.about.com/od/craftsbyproduct/a/trashcrafts.htm
A great list of recycling crafts for a variety of skill levels.

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Projects

Making a Wrapper Chain (.pdf) | Chip Bag Purse Instructions

Making a Vinyl LP Bowl (.pdf)

Recycled Plastic Shopping Bag Tote | Recycled T-Shirt Tote (.pdf)

Tetra-Pak Wallet (.pdf) | Tetra Pak Wallet

Cassette Tape Wallet

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