There's a new exciting trend in the world of sustainability that's got me rummaging through my closet (and mum's) and trawling the op shops. I'm even tempted to ransack the neighbour's bin to find 'junk' that I can recreate into something new. What exactly am I doing? It's called upcycling.

Upcycling is a term coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungar, authors of Cradle to Cradle; it refers to the act of creating useful products from waste materials. Old things, otherwise destined for the bin, get reused to make products that are both beautiful and functional.

We all have stacks of old sheets, clothes, paper products, bottles, cups etc that we don't want anymore. What if we can transform these into something new and brilliant? Something everyone will love and use? Now, you can, with upcycling- all you need is a bit of craftiness. Odd/mismatched old teacups can now become beautiful bangles or even a lamp. You can make last year's dress look like new, and what about using all your empty jar bottoms to create a gorgeous lampshade?

The possibilities are endless with upcycling. You might just want to check it out:

http://www.cleverbastards.co.nz/the-store/category/upcycled
http://readymade.com/
https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/tetani/upcycleart/htmls/projects.html
http://sustainablog.org/2008/09/09/six-creative-upcycling-projects/

Contributing Writer Trish Koh

Trish is a writer, translator and a blogger with a BA in Media and Cultural studies. Interests in fashion, beauty, arts, crafts, travel, relationships, lifestyle and women's issues.  Trish's blog is Under Lock and Key.