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that share similar interests in upcycling to submit and communicate with each other and the
public. Pinterest.com and similar websites provide the amateur do-it-yourselfer ideas on how to
upcycle almost everything from t-shirts into dresses to re-purposing pallets into furniture,
reminiscent of a bohemian-type style.

The sixties and seventies brought in a new lifestyle, and clothing starts to reflect that
change. The conservative era fades away and a hippie culture begins to interweave through
society. People begin crocheting hats and vests using parts of the aluminum drink cans; more
and more styles of patchwork jackets, skirts, and jeans arrive on the scene, a resurgence of folk
arts & crafts.

Since the late 1980s repurposing has become more of an art form, showing
individualistic style. The blowup of the internet provides new avenues for idea sharing on
reworking and changing everything from furniture, cans, windows, tires, bottles, and bags. By
using the tools available on internet sites such as blogs, Pinterest, and YouTube, endless ideas
can become available to everyone.

The twenty-first century brings a society that is global and people who are more
conscious of our environment. Society is aware of the toll our previous ‘disposable lifestyle’ has
taken on it. This new way of thinking opens doors for upcyclers all over to re-invent items with
old products, for example, making a purse out of empty Capri Sun pouches, candy wrappers, or
woven plastic bags. Eco friendly citizens are becoming savvier in affairs of repurposing, and
funky styles are coming out of everyday products.

Throughout history, whether out of necessity, art, current events, or morality, the reuse
of materials shows the resourcefulness and imagination within human nature. The cycle of
repurposing runs a full circle, beginning with necessity, nothing going to waste, flipping to an
abundance of waste, and there being a necessity to upcycle.

Works Cited

Powell, Alvin. "The Return to Recycling." Harvard Gazette, September 23, 2011.
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/09/the-return-to-recycling/.