3.1

Introduction to Part 3: Use of Recycled Materials and Upcycling

Part 3 of the course builds upon design frameworks and case studies in Part 2 towards practical strategies, focusing on upcycling, creative reuse, and transforming waste into new products. We hope to inspire hands-on application and demonstrate how valuable resources can be recovered and transformed on every scale, from home-based projects to innovative ideas.

Week 5 deals with the concept of Upcycling, exploring how it moves beyond recycling by transforming waste materials into higher-value products. We’ll look at inspiring global practices, particularly circularity examples from Asia, and then examine specific waste materials and their potential for Upcycling. This includes turning textile waste into new fashion, repurposing inflatable boats into durable bags, and transforming old laptops into functional new items. The week concludes with an overview of the innovative work by studio Alternatives, including their Scrap Library and container-based solutions for resource-effective living and learning, leading into a hands-on assignment where you will create your own custom-made gift wrapping paper.

Week 6 will focus on recycled materials on a larger industrial and societal scale. We will look at how different sectors are trying to integrate recycling of materials into their core operations, challenging traditional linear consumption models. Different case studies will take us around the world and get into the numbers and research around recycling, highlighting good examples and practices to develop.

© Daniel Mossberg, CEMUS, Uppsala University and Sonali Phadke, studio Alternatives and Stephanie Foote