As spring jump starts and you begin to clean out your closet, be sure that this year you help the earth and try some upcycling. Instead of tossing out those old coats and jeans, why not make better use of them?

   Upcycling is the act of reusing unused objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original. Upcycling is great for you to use those clothes that don’t quite make the cut anymore. Another way to upcycle is to go to a thrift store and buy a used piece of clothing for cheap and jazz it up at home with buttons, frills and sewing — whatever you need to spice it up.

   According to the website HipCycle, “Upcycling gives an item a better purpose. And while jimmying the lock on your car is giving that hanger a new purpose, it’s not necessarily better or more beautiful. And the mangled hanger is likely destined for the trash, which is the opposite intent of upcycling” (hipcycle.com). Did you know that making candles out of old crayons is considered upcycling? Well, it is. All those broken crayons and empty glass jars you have can be put to use. You can also use those old crayons bits to make new crayons. Just melt the broken pieces, put them into a shape holder, much like a ice cube tray and let them harden.

   The difference between recycling and upcycling is huge. Recycling is reusing something for the same or different purpose, or just bringing your bottles and cans to the recycling center. Upcycling is reusing something but with enhancements. You can enhance an object or piece of clothing and reuse and rewear it over and over again.

   According to the Sugru website, there are many options for upcycling. Some ideas for upcyclying include: converting plastic bottles into garden planters, turning comic books into coasters, using old bike parts to make diverse jewelry, using a plastic coke bottle to make your GoPro float, using old forks to make candle holders and making hooks or plastic spoons into a pineapple-shaped lamp! (sugru.com). Many upcyclers start at thrift stores. A common upcycling trend is jean jackets. Taking old jean jackets and adding simple embellishments such as buttons or patches are super easy and will spice up a denim jacket.

    A favorite upcycle borrowed from the 1970s is taking an old pair of jeans that doesn’t fit anymore and making them into a denim purse. The pockets are so cute and can be used to hold items like phones these days.

   According to UpCycle Magazine, upcycling gained recognition in the ‘90s, but was not as popular until 2002. “William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s book ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’ brought the term into the public eye, and solidified its use in pop culture (upcyclemagazine.com). Upcycling has also become more popular as the world as more environmental responsibility.

   Put your creative juices to the test and start reimagining clothing you don’t wear and items you don’t use.