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
House Mix upcycled a bunch of dollar store vases with some pink paint to create this pretty floral display.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Whether that’s using it to prepare garden beds, create new garden beds, or even control weeds and pests, upcycling this household staple can help you out in the garden in more ways than one.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
The recycling and upcycling trend also has spread to housewares, music, sports equipment and even homes.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Many rooms include fireplaces and porches, and renovations leaned into reuse and upcycling to honor the property’s history and reduce environmental impact.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
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Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Whether that’s using it to prepare garden beds, create new garden beds, or even control weeds and pests, upcycling this household staple can help you out in the garden in more ways than one.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
The recycling and upcycling trend also has spread to housewares, music, sports equipment and even homes.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Many rooms include fireplaces and porches, and renovations leaned into reuse and upcycling to honor the property’s history and reduce environmental impact.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 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 17 Feb. 2026.
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