Upcycling – a win for you and the planet

Times are tough. Rather than spend money on new items, people are turning to upcycling projects to restore items and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time.

Upcycling is the process of taking something old – such as furniture – and turning it into something new and useful. This process not only saves old items from ending up in the landfill, it also gives them a new lease of life. Upcycling can be as simple as painting an old dresser or as complex as turning an old door into a coffee table. It’s a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote creativity and innovation. It’s the ultimate DIY project, where people can flex their creative muscles and turn discarded items into something unique and beautiful.

THE BENEFITS INCLUDE

Reduces waste: Less waste is sent to landfills and incinerators, which reduces the greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts associated with waste disposal.

Reduces resource consumption: It reduces the need for new resources to be extracted and processed, which reduces the environmental impact of resource extraction and the associated pollution, habitat destruction, and other negative effects.

Decreases pollution: The pollution generated by traditional manufacturing processes can be reduced. This can release harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment.

Encourages creativity: Upcycling encourages creativity and innovation by giving new life to old items, and it can also be a fun and rewarding way to reduce waste and save money.

Keith Clarke, from Edgemead in Cape Town, is a professional upcycler. He started the business, Repair Before You Replace, four years ago, when he retired and was looking for something to do. He’s been busy ever since, even throughout Covid. “I think during Covid, when people were at home, it gave them time to look around and decide what needed upkeep, or to discover things they’d stuck away and forgotten about,” he explains. Most of Keith’s work consists of upcycling furniture, in particular dining room chairs, and he often must restring riempie chairs. “I always say to people to give me an item to look at before they throw it away, and I can quickly assess if it can be repaired.”

When it comes to the tools he uses, he is lucky enough to have inherited many tools from his father. He says people wanting to upcycle will need a good set of spanners, screwdrivers and hammers. Clamps are essential for furniture repair, and a sanding machine for working with wooden items. More advanced work requires planers and routers. “You actually can’t have too many tools in this job,” he says.

Many people bring him wooden furniture that has been painted to upcycle and return to its original state. “This is quite difficult,” he says, “because the wood absorbs the paint, so it takes a lot of work.” When it comes to treating wood, he advises against a varnish finish but instead recommends a wood stain or wood oil. Keith says that some of his upcycling has taken his clients by surprise. “They bring me something, not expecting me to be able to do anything with it, and then they can’t believe their eyes when they see the finished result.”

A CREATIVE OUTLET

One of the best things about upcycling is that it can be done with just about anything. Got an old wooden pallet lying around? Turn it into a rustic coffee table. Upcycling allows people to create something that’s truly one- of-a-kind and let their personality shine through by choosing colours, patterns, and designs that reflect their style.

And let’s not forget the financial benefits of upcycling. Buying new furniture or decor can be expensive, but upcycling allows the creation of something stylish and functional on a budget. Plus, upcycled creations can even be sold to make some extra cash.

Remember, upcycling is all about repurposing and reusing what people already have, so it’s all about encouraging your customers to get creative and experiment with different tools and materials. Advise them to start small with simple projects and gradually build up their skills and tool collection as they gain confidence.

What is needed

The specific tools and products needed depend on the type of upcycling project being tackled, but here are some general items that could come in handy and could make for a useful instore upcycling display.

Basic hand tools: A hammer, screwdriver, drill, saw, and sandpaper are some common hand tools. These can help disassemble or modify existing items.

Paint and brushes: To update the
look of a piece of furniture or decor, paint and brushes will be needed. Acrylic paint is versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, and there are a wide range of colours to suit every style.

Adhesives: Glue, epoxy, or other
types of adhesives can be useful for bonding materials together or repairing broken items. The adhesive must be appropriate for the materials being worked with.

Fasteners and hardware: Screws, nails, knobs, handles, and other types of fasteners and hardware can be used to attach or modify pieces in an upcycling project. These can help create functional and visually appealing changes to furniture or other items.

Sanding and finishing supplies:

Sandpaper or a sanding block can be used to smooth rough surfaces, while finishing products such as varnish, wax, or sealant can protect and enhance the appearance of upcycled creations.

Repurposed or salvaged materials:

One of the joys of upcycling is finding creative ways to use salvaged or repurposed materials. These could include reclaimed wood or metal, old furniture or fittings, or other objects that can add character and uniqueness.