Eco Blog: A Beginners Guide to Upcycling

Upcycling is a form of recycling where you take a product that you would otherwise normally discard and give it a new use or lease of life. The great thing about upcycling, is that not only is it sustainable and cost effective, but everyone in your household can join in.    

Every time you go to throw something away, ask yourself is the product something you can reuse for other purposes? If you use your imagination and creative thinking, there are endless possibilities. For further inspiration, look on Pinterest and Instagram as they are a haven for upcycling projects to get you started.     

Have a look in your attic or ask family members if they have any old hidden gems that could do with an upcycle, you could also try your local charity shops. 

The key to having a successful upcycling project is preparation, don’t rush it.  Think about the end result by having a step-by-step guide on how to achieve it.  Here are some quick tips if you wish to upcycle a piece of furniture:   

1. Sand and clean the furniture.  If you are wanting to paint your furniture, it’s best to have it cleaned and sanded so the new paint will stick to it properly.  You want to avoid any lumps and bumps! 
2. Follow the instructions on the paint you purchase.  Make sure you use enough layers of paint.  Most importantly, be patient and let it dry properly. 
3. Lastly, once you are happy with how it has turned out, add some varnish.  Varnish is great for not only protecting your furniture, but it will also give it a professional finish.  You can now sit back, relax and marvel at your handiwork!   

If anyone has created any upcycling pieces, we would love to hear from you.  Please send your pictures to GoGreen@serc.ac.uk