Upcycled Gifts & What You Need to Know About Upcycling

When I founded Green Tulip in 2007, I spent a long time thinking about what makes a gift 'ethical'. One of the questions I ask is what the gift has been made from, such as sustainable recycled or upcycled materials. But what is exactly is upcycling? And how does it make a gift ethical?

The most simple way to describe it is that upcycling is the process of transforming discarded materials and objects into something new and useful. And for us here at Green Tulip, that means to make them into beautiful gifts that people love to be given.

It is a way to reduce waste, reuse resources, and create something unique. Unlike recycling, which involves breaking down materials into their base components for reuse in other products, upcycling involves taking existing items and turning them into something new with added value.

This can include repurposing furniture or creating art from everyday objects. Upcycling also has the purpose of creating one-of-a-kind gifts that are both creative and sustainable. From jewellery made from recycled plastic to washbags created from bicycle inner tubes, there are endless possibilities when it comes to upcycled gifts. Upcycled gifts are a great way to give something special while being kind to the environment.

About Blanks is a lovely brand to consider if you want to give a gift made out of upcycled materials. The team source old, unwanted books and save them from landfill to make original, one of a kind notebooks – an ideal gift for book lovers. As each About Blanks book is unique, we photograph each one so you can choose exactly what you want and know you are getting what you see.