Have you heard of upcycling? This technique is not so new, thanks to the popularity of responsible living. In fact, it was created in the 90s by the architect Reiner Pilz. It could be defined as creating new from old; reclaiming what would be discarded by some to give them new life.

This method, anchored in the circular economy, fights against the waste caused by the fashion industry, the most polluting industry in the world. With this technique, no more tons of unused stock! But, upcycling can be found just about everywhere: fashion, design and even in decoration.

The goal of this method is to give a second life to various materials, the possibilities are numerous. We have a few examples of accessible upcycling to offer you! For example, the decorating tip for those who can't afford or just don't feel like buying a coffee table: pallets. It's a tip that's quite common among young people, especially since it's easy to customize. Or maybe it's the Christmas season? Why not customize old light bulbs to turn them into a bauble for your Christmas tree.

These are just ideas to show you how upcycling has benefits. It saves water, energy and raw materials overall. It reduces overall waste. And it allows each of us to transform things and let our creativity flow. Moreover, for those who are interested in the idea can try the practice during workshops dedicated to upcycling. Nevertheless, in the commercial world, it can quickly become expensive because of the price of labor and the quantities are often limited.
Apart from that, it's all good!

Today, more and more responsible upcycling brands are launching and becoming influential. There is something for everyone in terms of style, utility and price range. Here are a few examples we love at BellePaga:

You may have already come across this jewelry brand: Kitesy Martin. She hunts down old jewelry and adds new details to bring it up to date. She even has her own website. In addition to offering Upcycling Kits, if you wish you can also attend her masterclasses. She regularly takes the time to give lectures on how to upcycle jewelry.

Do you know Upcyclemo? This sustainable design brand aims to give a second life to car tires. The designer, Mohamed Khattou, combines Arabian style and sustainable decoration. You can find a lot of original furniture.

Rusmin, the creator of Instagram. The concept here is slightly different as she doesn't have a website dedicated to her creations like the other brands we suggested. She uses the second hand platform Depop and advertises her clothes on her Instagram account.

You don't have to be a great artist or designer to try your hand at upcycling. It's a really accessible trend that can even get personal.

For the less experienced, we have an affordable DIY for you. For this, bring your empty cans. Wash them so that they are as clean as possible. Once this step is done, it's time to get creative. Watercress paper, paint, markers, stickers: accessorize your can to your liking. Once the customization is done, you can use it as a pencil jar or a kitchen utensil jar.

For the more motivated among you, we suggest a sewing option: transform an old towel into makeup remover cotton. For this you will need an old terry towel and an old cloth. Simply cut the two fabrics to the desired size and assemble them on the sewing machine. After arranging your fabrics face to face, stitch all the way around, leaving a space to turn the future cotton inside out. Once turned over, sew up the remaining space and voilà, your cottons are ready!