All You Need is Love
“Nothing you can make that can't be made, no one you can save that can't be saved… Love is all you need.” The Beatles were right, at least when it comes to upcycling: love is all you need. First of all, upcycling is the process of taking something old and worn out and transforming it into something new and, usually, with an increased value. With a little bit of love, one can do anything when it comes to upcycling. Due to my experience, upcycling is important because it helps the earth, the economy, and the people.
With a little help, upcycling has the ability to make the Earth a greener place. For example, in most modern furniture there is a chemical called formaldehyde. When left untreated, in landfills for example, it slowly releases toxins. Worryingly, formaldehyde is a human carcinogen, which means it causes cancer. So, these toxins are not only harmful to people, but the environment and wildlife as well. This problem can be fixed if people could keep furniture out of landfills and put a wax on the furniture. The wax does not change it’s a appearance, it merely keeps the chemicals in. When the furniture is diverted from landfills it can then be upcycled. In the same light, the landfills are filling up. 9.8 million tons of furniture was put into the landfills in 2009 (epa, 2009). An additional fact is that 2008 was the first year the recovery of furniture was above 0.5% since 1960; therefor, furniture is the #1 least recycled thing in the house. f there were more people and/or businesses upcycling, the Earth would benefit quite a bit. It is important to note a business, called The Furniture Bank, has been able to divert 9,400 metric tonnes of furniture, which is the weight of approximately 1,887 elephants, since 1998. If more people were to upcycle or reuse furniture in their homes, the landfills would fill up less faster.
To continue, the economy would benefit from more upcycling. In order to upcycle, first you need something to work with. The point of upcycling is not to go out and buy new furniture, it is to use old furniture. So, if you do not have any old, used furniture, where do you get it from? Resale shops like Goodwill are perfect for this. The best part is, if you donate to Goodwill you get a tax deduction. So, not only do you divert furniture from landfills, but you also give someone furniture to upcycle. So, if you ever need to get rid of a piece of furniture and you do not have the space or resources to upcycle it, then you should always donate it or sell it; never just throw it away. Another compelling example is that upcycling can create jobs. In most cases, the products that are made through upcycling are very profitable. For example, I was able to buy and upcycle an end table for just $15. I found a very similar end table online that was selling for $62. So, there is definitely money to be made in this industry. All one would need to do is go to Goodwill and buy an endtable for just $5, like I did. Then, get paint, new pulls, and they are good to go. Also, the upcycled or shabby chic look is in style. More and more people are preferring the more rustic, vintage look now, so upcycling can change the culture and style of peoples homes. Upcycling has many benefits for the economy and provides new jobs.
In addition to that, upcycling is great for the people. Upcycling is art, and who doesn’t love letting their creativity out through art? Art is proven to help reduce stress, so not only are you helping the environment by upcycling, but you are helping yourself. Adding to the first example, upcycling also helps people by providing a cheaper option. It is much cheaper than the large, retail furniture store. We, as Americans, spend a collective total of $121.7 billion on furniture each year; furniture store ads and commercials are to blame for this. With the everchanging style everyone always wants the new, the best, the most stylish. With upcycling they can have that, because all they need to do is add new fabric to the furniture they already have. This gives it a fresh, new feel; also, it is much cheaper than buying new furniture. To summarize, upcycling offers a positive, fun, new hobby to the people.
In conclusion, upcycling benefits not only the Earth, but the economy and people, as well. It helps the Earth by keeping things out of landfills and not allowing toxic fumes to be released. Also, it provides tax deductions and a cheaper, more fun way for people to furnish their home. Remember, all you need is love.
With a little help, upcycling has the ability to make the Earth a greener place. For example, in most modern furniture there is a chemical called formaldehyde. When left untreated, in landfills for example, it slowly releases toxins. Worryingly, formaldehyde is a human carcinogen, which means it causes cancer. So, these toxins are not only harmful to people, but the environment and wildlife as well. This problem can be fixed if people could keep furniture out of landfills and put a wax on the furniture. The wax does not change it’s a appearance, it merely keeps the chemicals in. When the furniture is diverted from landfills it can then be upcycled. In the same light, the landfills are filling up. 9.8 million tons of furniture was put into the landfills in 2009 (epa, 2009). An additional fact is that 2008 was the first year the recovery of furniture was above 0.5% since 1960; therefor, furniture is the #1 least recycled thing in the house. f there were more people and/or businesses upcycling, the Earth would benefit quite a bit. It is important to note a business, called The Furniture Bank, has been able to divert 9,400 metric tonnes of furniture, which is the weight of approximately 1,887 elephants, since 1998. If more people were to upcycle or reuse furniture in their homes, the landfills would fill up less faster.
To continue, the economy would benefit from more upcycling. In order to upcycle, first you need something to work with. The point of upcycling is not to go out and buy new furniture, it is to use old furniture. So, if you do not have any old, used furniture, where do you get it from? Resale shops like Goodwill are perfect for this. The best part is, if you donate to Goodwill you get a tax deduction. So, not only do you divert furniture from landfills, but you also give someone furniture to upcycle. So, if you ever need to get rid of a piece of furniture and you do not have the space or resources to upcycle it, then you should always donate it or sell it; never just throw it away. Another compelling example is that upcycling can create jobs. In most cases, the products that are made through upcycling are very profitable. For example, I was able to buy and upcycle an end table for just $15. I found a very similar end table online that was selling for $62. So, there is definitely money to be made in this industry. All one would need to do is go to Goodwill and buy an endtable for just $5, like I did. Then, get paint, new pulls, and they are good to go. Also, the upcycled or shabby chic look is in style. More and more people are preferring the more rustic, vintage look now, so upcycling can change the culture and style of peoples homes. Upcycling has many benefits for the economy and provides new jobs.
In addition to that, upcycling is great for the people. Upcycling is art, and who doesn’t love letting their creativity out through art? Art is proven to help reduce stress, so not only are you helping the environment by upcycling, but you are helping yourself. Adding to the first example, upcycling also helps people by providing a cheaper option. It is much cheaper than the large, retail furniture store. We, as Americans, spend a collective total of $121.7 billion on furniture each year; furniture store ads and commercials are to blame for this. With the everchanging style everyone always wants the new, the best, the most stylish. With upcycling they can have that, because all they need to do is add new fabric to the furniture they already have. This gives it a fresh, new feel; also, it is much cheaper than buying new furniture. To summarize, upcycling offers a positive, fun, new hobby to the people.
In conclusion, upcycling benefits not only the Earth, but the economy and people, as well. It helps the Earth by keeping things out of landfills and not allowing toxic fumes to be released. Also, it provides tax deductions and a cheaper, more fun way for people to furnish their home. Remember, all you need is love.