Understanding Upcycling and Circular Economy and Their Interrelationships Through Literature Review for Design Education

Abstract

Design and engineering are fundamental activities in shaping the world we live in. Educating new generations in design and engineering, therefore, is crucial to build a better and more sustainable world. The changes in education for the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, in particular, has become a priority for many educators. Aligned with the circular economy, a promising umbrella concept and practice called 'upcycling' is emerging. The concepts and practices in the circular economy and upcycling overlap depending on the definitions of the terms in various disciplines and sectors in different parts of the world. This has caused some confusion and misunderstanding. For educators aiming to teach students about sustainable design, production and consumption, it is beneficial to distinguish between these two concepts. Understanding the relationships (or interrelationships) between them in theory and practice is important for the educators to offer clear guidance and recommendations to future designers and engineers. This paper provides literature review on upcycling and circular economy, compares these two concepts, and visualises their interrelationship as draft teaching materials for design education.

Environmental Considerations and Sustainable Solutions for Outdoor Advertising Banners

“…Two distinct paradigms of upcycling can be identified: one driven by necessity, where discarded materials are repurposed to fulfill fundamental human needs, such as the construction of shelters in informal settlements; and another where upcycling is regarded as an artistic or craft endeavor, producing utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing artifacts. Although the underlying motivations between artistry and survival differ significantly, it is noteworthy that necessity-driven reuse can still exhibit remarkable skill and aesthetic appeal [50]. The economic, cultural, and geographical contexts exert a profound influence on the dynamics of upcycling, including the availability of raw materials, the intended purpose of the process, and the creative techniques employed in handling and repurposing these materials [51,52].…”

Fostering Fashion Ecosystems: A Quadruple Helix-Based Model for European Sustainable Innovation

“…Governments that previously focused on regulation control and standardization are transforming their role for facilitating collaboration among universities, industries, and society and helping to create knowledge and stimulate demand, thus promoting new frameworks for boosting the fashion industry and setting international standards for circular practices. The development of such a system would act along the supply chain by allowing the development of multi-sector strategies that can enable the use of used or waste materials, components, and products, or create a product of greater value than its component elements toward a closed-loop system by design [54,55]. The last direction is enabling innovations by combining the key concepts of quadruple helix by supporting interplay among different actors, fostering integration among different operational systems and promoting for cross-functional cooperation between closed-loop innovation systems.…”