upcycle
verb
up·cy·cle
ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl 
upcycled; upcycling
: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item : to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)
The line upcycles single-use plastic bags that are cleaned and brought in from Bali, Indonesia, and parts of California for use as the main material in the shoes. In the company's first year more than 175,000 plastic bags were reused to create footwear and accessories.—
Melissa Magsaysay
Melissa Magsaysay
upcycling
noun
Examples of upcycle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thrifting throughout her small‑town upbringing sparked Dani Bennett's love for upcycling as well as her emerging brand, moonhAg.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
Lastly, this approach to treating silk could allow for upcycling used textiles, which previously would have to be dissolved before processing, or simply discarded.
—New Atlas, 25 May 2026
The agency practices upcycling.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Bag The Smokery where the fireplace has been upcycled into a smokehouse and there is just one table for maximum intimacy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
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Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
Lastly, this approach to treating silk could allow for upcycling used textiles, which previously would have to be dissolved before processing, or simply discarded.
—New Atlas, 25 May 2026
The agency practices upcycling.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Bag The Smokery where the fireplace has been upcycled into a smokehouse and there is just one table for maximum intimacy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
Cite this Entry
“Upcycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upcycle. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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