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In today's Buzzword Mix, our buzzword is Upcycling.
Just by hearing this word, you might be able to guess that upcycling has something to do with recycling, upcycling also known as creative reuse.
By definition, upcycle means to recycle or reuse something in a way that increases the original object’s value.
Upcycling中文翻译成“升级再造”, 也就是把已经用旧了或者不能用的东西加入一点想象力和创造力, 把它升级再造成一个新的东西, 以实现物品材料循环再利用的目的.
In short, upcycling is taking something old and creating something new.
Now you might be asking since there is upcycling, is there downcycling？
Of course, the best way to understand upcycling is actually to compare it to downcycling.
Both are types of recycling. Downcycling is the kind of recycling we usually think of. 其实说到downcycling有的时候被翻译成降级再造, 也就是我们传统上理解的这种循环回收, 再利用Recycling.
This is, for example, recycling paper or plastic, these materials are broken down and reused to create a product that is considered less valuable than the original.
在这种传统的降级再利用里, 一般就是把材料回收之后, 通过再次的加工生产出一个价值较低的产品.
For example, most recycled paper like old newspapers is considered to be lower grade paper.
比如说回收的旧报纸之类的纸类就会被recycle或者downcycle成一些品质要求较低的纸制品.
And by contrast, upcycling is the same process of free using old materials, but it creates something more valuable or of a higher quality.
For example, it might include using materials from plastic bottles to make new shoes or reclaimed wood to make quality furniture.
而对比之下, upcycling升级再造就指的是在循环再造的过程中, 会通过创意和设计让被回收的旧物或者旧材料拥有更高的价值. 比如说用回收的塑料瓶做成鞋子, 或者把回收的木材做成高品质的家具.
Essentially the difference between downcycling and upcycling is that downcycling creates a lower grade version of the same thing; and upcycling transforms old materials into a new different high quality item.
Another reason why upcycling is pretty popular is because it supports a circular economy.
Upcycling升级再造这个风潮之所以会火起来, 还有一个原因是因为它有利于circular economy, 循环经济.
This is a system in which goods are used and reused multiple times rather than getting discarded or thrown away after one use.
This system is more sustainable because it relies on using what we already have rather than constantly creating new products out of new materials.
这种循环经济就跟我们现在都在关心的sustainability, sustainable living, 可持续的生活方式息息相关.
The idea of upcycling started in mid 90s, and there are some clear benefits of it.
The first one is upcycling minimizes the extraction of natural resources.
首先升级再造upcycling可以最大程度地减少对于自然资源的使用.
When you upcycle something, you reduce the need to extract raw materials or create synthetic materials because you already have what you need.
因为upcycle用的都是现成就已经有的回收再利用的东西, 所以既不需要使用更多的原材料, 也不需要去生产更多的合成材料.
Think about how many trees we can save if all our furniture is made with pre-used wood.
The second benefit upcycling can bring is that it reduces landfill waste.
Upcycling的第二个好处是可以减少垃圾填埋.
It saves your original product from a fate in the landfill.
Even if the original product is recyclable, plastic can only be downcycled once or twice before the product breaks down.
And eventually these recyclables still end up in landfill which can be harmful, especially if they aren't biodegradable.
虽然我们平时扔垃圾的时候会注意可回收和不可回收, 可是那种downcycling的回收通常都有一个限度, 比如塑料制品一般来说downcycle一两次最后还是要被丢到垃圾填埋区, 就会造成很大的污染.
But with upcycling, you don't actually throw things away or break them down. You are turning them into something that can be used and can last much longer.
And a third benefit is less manufacturing, less carbon emission.
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