What is upcycling?
The concept of upcycling has always existed. Whenever you use the fabric of one garment to make another, you are doing what is called upcycling, or simply reuse. Materials used for upcycling don't undergo major transformations: they are not broken down but reused as they are to create new clothes.
Most of the time these fabrics come from donated clothing and household linen, but also from industrial roll ends or designers' offcuts (from big fashion houses to small designers).
Why is upcycling eco-friendly?
Upcycled material is used right where it is. No need to bring it from far away: it is reused locally. This avoids the environmental footprint of transport.
The material is rescued just before certain death in a bin or an incinerator. Reusing it not only reduces the harmful effects of landfill and of CO2 in the atmosphere, but also cuts the production of new fabrics.
Making new fabrics uses energy and water (even recycled fabrics). So not producing new material saves that energy.
On top of its environmental side, upcycling very often has a social side too. Reusing material locally often brings jobs back to France, frequently through work integration companies that help people far from employment find lasting, rewarding work.
