We all know the three Rs. Reduce, reuse and recycle. But what about the “U” that no one talks about? Perhaps just as important as those Rs. Or more? 

 

U stands for upcycling. Believe it or not, the average person wears a piece of clothing only 10 times before discarding it.  But what if our mentality shifted toward fixing old clothes rather than throwing them out? If we all started to upcycle clothes more than we trashed them (or even recycled them), it would keep them out of the landfill, helping the environment and prolonging their shelf life. 

 

If you’re new to upcycling or you’re curious about living more sustainably, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it may sound. You don’t need a sewing machine, and it doesn’t require a ton of money. In fact, you’ll likely save a bundle by upcycling. All you really need is some old clothing and a dash of creativity. It’s really that easy, and in no time, you’ll have a truly one-of-a-kind piece.