upcycle

American  

[uhp-sahy-kuhl] / ˈʌpˌsaɪ kəl /

verb (used with object)

upcycled, upcycling

1. to process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original.

   I upcycled a stained tablecloth into curtains.

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verb (used without object)

upcycled, upcycling

1. to process goods or material so as to produce something that is often better than the original.

   Several new companies whose purpose is to upcycle have sprung up recently.

noun

1. Economics. a period or cycle during which business activity or profitability is at a high point.

   The whole industry has entered an upcycle.

Other Word Forms

• upcycler
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of upcycle

First recorded in 1990–95; up + (re)cycle

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

upcycle upcycled upcycling

"Ultimately, investors want to know whether there's still another leg to this memory upcycle, or whether we're getting close to peak earnings," Wu said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

The global technology upcycle and artificial-intelligence-driven semiconductor demand should continue to support electrical and electronic exports, she added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

"The students wanted to upcycle clothes, make it unique for them, and save it from landfill."

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

“We still come in skeptical here … We see AI driving a long and enduring upcycle, but a cycle nonetheless,” Kerwin said.

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

“We recommend investors start positioning now for a 2027 upcycle, as the home builders typically move early on the first signs of a new cycle.”

From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026

This year's shortlist includes an upcycled skyscraper in Sydney, the entire island of Barbados and a Bristol based company that filters microplastics from washing machines.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2025

Yasmine Auquier Buron, co-founder of Rive Droite, had a corner in BHV where the brand sold bags made from recycled and upcycled materials since 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025

Olwande Akoth, a designer showcasing her upcycled kimonos at the fashion show, once traded in second-hand bales but often felt disheartened by their poor quality.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025

It’s important to note that our milk is made of upcycled pecan pieces.

From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2024

Last year a Vogue India article’s headline read, pointedly: “Owning a one-of-a-kind upcycled garment is the new wardrobe flex.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2024

Reformation, a top retailer with roots in upcycling vintage items, has expanded its “preloved” section, where it sells garb from brands including Prada and Bebe alongside its own styles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

The study, "Remediation and upcycling of microplastics by algae," was published in Nature Communications.

From Science Daily ● May 12, 2026

In a similar spirit of upcycling, his exhibition shows Rose Salane’s newest project from Pompeii featuring rocks and other ephemera taken from the historic site.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026

Gikomba Runway Edition brought together young, underground Kenyan designers and stylists for the first time, including 25-year-old "upcycling" specialist Morgan Azedy.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025

And it was very in keeping with Stacey's upcycling hacks that she likes to share.

From BBC ● May 11, 2025

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