What was once considered merely a new way to recycle has turned into a movement. Innovative, sustainable companies like Looptworks, Rewilder, and Bureo are making high-quality, trendy and desirable products using wasted materials, bringing us ever closer to a circular economy.
This isn’t your environmentalist or hippie friend’s upcycling anymore. Upcycling is now not only good for the environment. It is high fashion and in-demand.
Upcycled moves from niche to chic
Another part of the company’s vision is expanding the market for upcycled products. Today, Looptworks is part of a growing ecosystem of companies that are not only reducing waste, but are also making products that anyone who desires quality would want. That helps expand upcycling’s market beyond those who care about sustainability to those who may be interested in sustainability, but care, first and foremost, about quality and style.
For example, Rewilder, a company based in Los Angeles, make purses and handbags using a highly unusual collection of upcycled materials. Products are made from upcycled filter cloth, which breweries use to filter hops and barley, as well as recycled house paint and handles from recycled climbing ropes.
Patagonia, a longtime leader in sustainable fashion, is also joining in on the trend. The outdoor gear company will launch the Re//Collection this fall, a new line that contains upcycled materials including wool from discarded sweaters and recycled polyester from worn-out garments.
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