downcycle

[ doun-sahy-kuhl ]

noun

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

   Energy companies are facing increased cost pressure to get through the current market downcycle.

verb (used with object)

1. to process (used goods or waste material) in order to produce something of lesser quality because the original material cannot be recycled into something of the same or better quality: Compare upcycle ( def 1 ).

   The plastic bottles can't be reused, but some companies downcycle them into bags.

Word History and Origins

Origin of downcycle¹

First recorded in 1975–80; down ¹ + cycle

Example Sentences

Nike’s reuse program downcycles running shoes by grinding them up to be used in rubberized surfaces on tracks and playgrounds.

From Outside Online