Challenges and Opportunities for Scaling Up Global Upcycling Towards Sustainable Production and Consumption

Sung, Kyungeun; Abuzeinab, Amal

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-04560-8_112

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 16 publications

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“…Upcycling trend has received renewed attention in the past few years due to growing concerns for the environment related to increased resource consumption and waste volumes. In the context of the circular economy, upcycling is regarded as a strategy to reduce resource consumption by slowing and closing material cycles [1][2][3] by improving the quality of products and materials in the value chain [4] and countering the planned and premature obsolescence [5]. Upcycling also has the potential to create economic and employment opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship [6], and promote environmentally sustainable consumption behaviors through re-use [7].…”

Section: Introduction 1backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Sustainability Potential of Upcycling

Singh

2022

Sustainability

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The upcycling trend has received renewed attention in the past few years due to growing concerns for the environment related to increased resource consumption and waste volumes. Indeed, cities across the world are supporting resource upcycling initiatives by establishing do-it-yourself (DIY) repair cafes and makerspaces as a means to transform societies towards sustainable development. However, the sustainability potential of such upcycling initiatives is unknown due to the lack of theoretical frameworks. This research aims to explore the direct and indirect social, economic, and environmental implications of upcycling activities at DIY bicycle repair studios. The main objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the upcycling activities in these studios that contribute to slowing and closing the material cycles, (2) explore the behavioral implications of the users of these maker spaces in the context of environmental sustainability, and (3) propose ways to evaluate the broad environmental impacts of the upcycling activities at these studios. The objectives were explored in three case studies—2 in Sweden (Cykelköket in Malmö and Bagarmossens Cykelköket in Stockholm) and 1 in Switzerland (Point Vélo, Lausanne). Semi-structured interviews, user surveys, and participant observation methods are employed to collect qualitative, and quantitative data to formulate a systemic exploration of major activities and socio-economic exchanges at these repair cafes. The study identified multiple social, economic, and environmental impacts of upcycling activities and represented them in causal loop diagrams. Based on this, a framework for evaluating and governing the overall sustainability potential of upcycling activities is proposed.

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Section: Introduction 1backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Sustainability Potential of Upcycling

Singh

2022

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Challenges and Opportunities for Scaling Up Global Upcycling Towards Sustainable Production and Consumption

Cited by 1 publication

References 16 publications

The Sustainability Potential of Upcycling

The Sustainability Potential of Upcycling

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