Upcycling+in+Consumer+Goods

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= **Introduction** =

Upcycling, a process popularized in the early 2000’s [1], uses recycled materials in the production of new products. The process is environmentally inspired to encourage less waste production and harmful emissions during the manufacturing process. Many industries such as the fine arts, hobbyists, and manufacturers have adopted upcycling, as technology and resources have better allowed for a wider range of applications. Consumer insights have led companies to introduce their own lines of products that use recycled materials; whether the final product highlights its recycled characteristics or simply re-purposes old materials inconspicuously. Researchers have developed ways to fully decompose engineered materials to a near original state which allows manufacturers to reuse materials without it always being obvious to consumers.The recycling and upcycling cycle has been emphasized as a necessary movement as research has shown the dangers that waste - such as consumer plastic, poses on the environment. Although upcycling may have different purposes and constraints in different industries the message remains the same. It is far more sustainable to reuse and re purpose materials that to be exhausting limited natural resources. = **Background** =

Upcycling was introduced as a consumer trend in the early 2000’s when a company by the name of Terracycle released their first line of products that used recycled materials in school supplies and materials [13]. This product line came from a partnership that Terracycle had with Kraft to highlight their products in the recycling process. This trend quickly grew as young consumers became conscious of the impact their product consumption had on the environment, and were interested in participating in the idea to reduce, reuse, and recycle [2]. Terracycle’s portfolio slowly grew as it began to partner with other global corporations that wanted to make use of recycled materials in their own product lines. Reshaping the barrier between consumers and manufacturers, companies developed a transparent marketing strategy to appeal to the public in their quest to include recycled materials in their practices. =Environmental Focus=

Upcycling has gained momentum as environmental organizations have worked to release studies and documentaries showing the excessive amounts of man-made materials that end up in delicate ecosystems. For example, the Great Pacific garbage patch, discovered in the late 1980’s [3] is a vortex of plastic roughly the size of Texas. Since that time, researchers have found many others of its kind which act as waste collectors due to the circulating currents that round out their perimeters. Detrimental to the health of the surrounding ecosystems, these patches have been claimed to be a result of improper waste management and containment. Environmental organizations have put an emphasis on the resulting impact of waste distribution in the oceans as it has led to a drastic decline in Ocean health stability over a short time period. One study conducted by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory [4] found that there was a 50% decline in the Northern Fur Seals population in just 30 years – primarily due to suffocation by plastic found in the sea. The idea of Upcycling is to prevent these harmful plastics from finding their final resting places in areas where they can damage local wildlife or environments. The collection of materials to re purpose in the Upcycling process collects these harmful plastics and stops any further contamination or growth of the previously mentioned plastic patches. At the World Economic Forum in 2016 it was revealed that “ …[unless action is taken] the ocean is expected to contain one ton of plastic for every three ton of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish [by weight].” [6]. = = = ** Popular Products ** =

Upcycled products have ranged from artisan jewelry all the way to mass produced electronics. More products have moved away from an obvious showcasing of the reused materials, and are becoming more inconspicuous of the materials involvement. As mentioned, the developing technology surrounding upcycle manufacturing is allowing companies to integrate recycled materials in a near seamless way with other trademark materials. A brief timeline of the revolution of upcycling: //[2001] Terracyle bags and school supplies –// The grandfather of consumer upcycling, Terracyle has paved the way for corporate and consumer partnerships to bring upcycled products to store shelves around the world. //[2009] Samsung Blue Earth Phone// – Samsung developed an Eco-friendly phone whose casing is made entirely of recycled water bottles. This phone as well has a solar panel back that allows for charging on the go. // [2016] Engineered plastic based lumber //- Using recycled plastics, Rutgers University invented Structural Plastic Lumber - a composite that is comparable to wood in terms of weight, yet is significantly lighter and more durable. This material is available to be used in bridges, playgrounds, and buildings. Has been deployed by government agencies to be used in Army Bases and offices. //[2017] Adidas Parley Sneaker collaboration –// made from fish nets and water bottles that are harvested from the ocean. Each pair uses 10 water bottles that would have otherwise contaminated the ocean's ecosystems. The above examples show the exponentially growing sophistication of upcyling in different applications. The process is now used in nearly every industry as researchers have found ways to produce stronger, cheaper, and more attractive products while engaging in a sustainable practice.

= **Engineering the Process** =

Tech startups and research labs around the world are racing to introduce the newest and greatest applications of upcycling. Industries ranging from Civil Infrastructure all the way to luxury goods are making use of the idea of upcycling.

**Plastics**[[image:scienceandsociety3030/Capture.PNG align="right" caption="A steel manufacturing facility that harnesses recycled carbon from recycled plastics. "]]
Plastics have a natural life span of approximately 400 years before their chemical compounds begin the breakdown process. This long lifespan poses a natural threat to the environment and its species due to the chemical contamination as well as potential to end up in the diet of wild animals. Plastic products such as plastic bags are even more so complicated when it comes to recycling. Their chemical make up compromises the re purposing process as their low melting temperatures can damage common machines used to break down other related products. This limitation leads to the challenge of finding an appropriate and feasible way of integrating plastic bags with Upcycling. Research from the University of NSW school of Materials Science and Engineering has investigated ways to re purpose the recycling of plastic bags without compromising the safety of recycling plants. Professor Sahajwalla has shown the potential in using recycled plastic bags as a key component in the manufacturing of Steel. This process harnesses the carbon within plastic bags as one of the essential ingredients that steel plants use alongside Iron and Coal to produce steel [10]. This method of recycling is an example of how Upcycling can be further defined as a process that happens behind the scenes. Harnessing the carbon from existing plastic bags protects from over harvesting of natural resources such as coal while simultaneously lessening the amount of toxic chemicals released to the surroundings of plants. Other studies such as the research conducted by the India National Institute of Technology [8] examined the limitations of using plastics in recycling and Upcycling processes, and how those could be bettered by adding in compounds that restore the recycled materials to their previous strengths. This experiment focused on re purposing plastics that are commonly found in computer accessories, such as casings, components, and keyboards [11]. The plastics were broken down into small pieces and then fused together by Melt Blending Technology to mold samples to test. This molding process also adds a type of plastic, referred to as modifier, to create samples that are stronger and more durable. The research went on to further prove that with the technology used it could be done for a feasible price to be comparable in a consumer market. A popular and widely used recycling method of making plastics Biodegradable has been engineered to change the chemical makeup of synthetic plastics to allow a catalyzed breakdown of the material when introduced to specific enzymes [9]. This process not only aids in the recycling of plastics, but as well allows for more plastics to be upcycled by decreasing the harsh processes that were once needed to break down old forms of plastics.`

**Fibers**
A common concern of the upcycling of old products is that the materials will lose their strength and performance properties during the recycling process. This concern has been addressed by introducing natural fibers during the recycling process which acts as a filler for any decomposition of structures within the material itself [5]. This reinforcing characteristic of natural fibers proves to be a method that allows for upcycled products to be reintroduced to consumers with the confidence that the strength and performance characteristics of the products will not be compromised over a normal life cycle. = **Current Obstacles** =

Obstacles that are preventing Upcycling from further take off relate to the worry that upcycling decreases the reliability of material performance, and the lack of integral infrastructure behind municipal recycling programs. The municipal recycling programs in the United States alone recycle, or compost, 87 million tons per year. At a recycling rate of 34.3 percent [7], municipal recycling programs still have a long way to go to be self-sustaining. It seems as if education and lack of municipally sponsored programs are the root cause for the relatively low recycling rate [14]. Many public individuals do not understand what can be recycled and end up damaging facilities by trying to recycle materials that the facilities cannot handle, otherwise known as contamination. The high rate of contamination has been a large focus for developers and recycling facilities to introduce either a larger labor force to help prevent the issue by sorting or even by introducing recycling processes that can better break down materials that currently are not able to be recycled [8]. These new and inclusive technologies such as those developed by National Institutes work to modernize the recycling process to mediate public general knowledge and facility costs for maintenance. = **Conclusion** =

Upcycling has grown exponentially over the past decade, and with it as has the engineering challenges regarding future applications and tackling obstacles that come from trying to modernize out dated recycling practices. Scientists have shown the worth of future applications of upcycling and how a closed sustainable loop is not far away. Existing applications have shown the strong connection between consumers and environmental practices. If the interest and passion of the public continues, as will the growth towards a sustainable and upcycled consumer market. =Cited References=

[1]“TerraCycle’s History.” 2017. //TerraCycle//. Accessed July 6. []. [2]“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” 2017. //Kids Environment Kids Health - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences//. Accessed July 6. [] [3]“| OR&R’s Marine Debris Program.” 2017. Accessed June 29. []. [4]“Plastics in Our Oceans.” 2017. Accessed June 29. [] [5]Shih, Yeng-Fong, Chien-Chung Huang, and Po-Wei Chen. 2010. “Biodegradable Green Composites Reinforced by the Fiber Recycling from Disposable Chopsticks.” //Materials Science and Engineering: A// 527 (6): 1516–21. doi:10.1016/j.msea.2009.10.024. [6]MacDonald, Fiona. 2017. “By 2050, There’ll Be More Plastic Than Fish in Our Oceans.” ScienceAlert. Accessed June 29. https://www.sciencealert.com/by-2050-there-ll-be-more-plastic-than-fish-in-our-oceans. [7]US EPA, OSWER. 2015. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures.” Collections and Lists. US EPA. September 22. https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures. [8]Kannan, P., G. Lakshmanan, A. Al Shoaibi, and C. Srinivasakannan. 2017. “Polymer Recovery Through Selective Dissolution of Co-Mingled Post- Consumer Waste Plastics.” Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology; Shropshire 33 (2): 75–84. [9]Chandra, R. 1998. “Biodegradable Polymers.” //Progress in Polymer Science// 23 (7): 1273–1335. doi:10.1016/S0079-6700(97)00039-7. [10]Luntz, Stephen. 2004. “Steel Made from Plastic Bags.” //Australasian Science; Hawksburn//, December. [11]V, Ramesh, Manoranjan Biswal, Smita Mohanty, and Sanjay K Nayak. 2014. “Recycling of Engineering Plastics from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipments: Influence of [12]Virgin Polycarbonate and Impact Modifier on the Final Performance of Blends.” //Waste Management & Research// 32 (5): 379–88. doi:10.1177/0734242X14528404.[13]Wilson, Matthew. 2016. “When Creative Consumers Go Green: Understanding Consumer Upcycling.” //The Journal of Product and Brand Management; Santa Barbara// 25 (4): 394–99. [14]Torres, F. G., and Héctor Cornejo. 2016. “The Need for Technical Improvement in the Plastics Recycling Industry in Middle-Income Countries: The Peruvian Case.” //Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology; Shropshire// 32 (4): 201–12.