Upcycling vs. Recycling: Differences + 8 Examples

To put it simply: recycling means breaking down an item to create something new from its raw materials (think a notebook being broken down and made into a to-go coffee cup) while upcycling means taking a product and modifying it to create something better (think an ill-fitting dress being cut and sewn into a blouse).

Though they are both similar concepts, recycling and upcycling are actually different. Recycling oftentimes creates an entirely new product while upcycling typically ends up looking similar, but aims to create something of higher quality than the original.

When it comes to your little one’s stuff and decluttering your home, getting into a sustainable parenting mindset by upcycling or recycling baby gear can help offset some of the environmental impact of children’s stuff. In fact, 100 million baby and kid items were thrown away in 2021, so finding ways to be more sustainable in your everyday life can make a big impact.

Let’s look at what it means to upcycle vs. recycle and how to do both with the stuff found around your home.

Upcycling: Pros, Cons & Examples

The term upcycling—also called creative reuse— is when you take an old item that you no longer use and modify it to be more practical, beautiful or useful than it was before. Ever heard of the phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure?” That applies here. Upcycling is all about finding creative ways to turn items you don’t want into something you’ll love.

You can upcycle household items or do it with items you find at thrift stores or online.

Pros

• Reduces landfill waste
• Saves you money
• Lets you be creative
• Can make it into an activity with the kiddos

Cons

• May require crafting materials you don’t already have
• Can be difficult to do
• Takes time depending on the project

How to Upcycle Your Baby & Kid Gear: 5 Examples

Your little one’s baby gear is often sentimental. How can you let go of their first book, onesie or pair of shoes? If you don’t want to sell their stuff just yet, with just a little DIY, upcycling allows you to repurpose these items into something more useful or fashionable than they were before, so you can keep around sentimental items without letting them become clutter.

Some examples of upcycling projects include:

• Collect old shirts, old jeans, onesies and other clothes and turn them into a quilt or throw blanket
• Cut old fabric into strips and make it into a bunting or garland
• Frame pages of baby books and make them wall art
• Cut out cute pages of kid books and use them as accents in a scrapbook or photo album
• Use old Legos to create a cute bowl or vase for your little one’s room

Recycling: Pros, Cons & Examples

Recycling means breaking down an old object that is made of reusable material and reforming it into an entirely new item. Most people are probably familiar with putting aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes and glass jars in the recycling bin for pickup, but you can actually recycle many different types of things—including old baby stuff.

Recycling baby items comes in two forms. Things like glass baby food containers, diaper boxes and plastic bags can be tossed out with the weekly recycling. But donating old baby items like strollers, clothes and toys to be resold or reused also counts as recycling, since the item will be put to use again.

Pros

• Easy to do
• Reduces landfill trash
• Reduces emissions from manufacturing new products

Cons

• Some people don’t sort their recyclables correctly
• Objects made from recycled materials are often lesser quality
• The recycling process can be cost-inefficient for the city

How to Recycle Your Baby & Kid Gear: 3 Examples

Recycling is an easy way to do your part for the environment. Usually, it’s as easy as donating your items to a thrift shop or listing them online through a consignment or resale platform.

• Put it in the bin: Before you toss old baby food pouches, jars or plastic bags out with the garbage, check and see if they’re recyclable. Chances are they can be recycled and you can put them in your recycling bin to be made into something new.

• Donate it: Donating baby items that are gently used and in good condition can help them be reused by a family in need. Many thrift stores take baby items; just make sure to check each store’s specific guidelines for what you can donate.

• Sell your gear: Want to make a buck while you help the environment? Sell your baby gear through a local consignment shop or a peer-to-peer marketplace like Facebook Marketplace. Talk about a win-win.

Upcycling vs. Recycling: Which is Better?

At the end of the day, each family is different. While some craftier families might enjoy the challenge of upcycling items, others might want the ease of selling an old stroller and know that it’s going to get a long second life. Either way: both upcycling and recycling are zero-waste practices that help the environment and give old baby gear a new use and a new life.

If you do decide to pass on your baby items, donating or reselling them locally keeps them out of the landfill and gives them a second life. GoodBuy Gear has diverted over 1 million baby and kid items from landfills to date, including 1.94 million pounds of baby gear last year alone.

Join the movement by shopping secondhand with us! Every item is quality-checked by our team of gear experts before it’s listed for sale, so you can shop with confidence. Shop GoodBuy Gear.

Upcycling & Recycling Baby Gear: FAQs

Is upcycling more sustainable than recycling?

Both are zero-waste practices, but upcycling is generally the more sustainable choice when it's an option, since it reuses an item as-is instead of breaking it down and remanufacturing it into something new. Recycling is still a great fallback for materials that can’t be repurposed, like glass and certain plastics.

What baby items can you upcycle?

Soft goods like onesies, baby blankets, burp cloths and old baby books are some of the easiest items to upcycle into quilts, buntings or scrapbook keepsakes. Sturdier items like wooden blocks or Legos can also be repurposed into home decor.

What baby gear can you recycle or donate?

Hard plastics, glass food containers and diaper boxes can typically go in curbside recycling. Gently used strollers, toys and clothing are better suited for donation or resale so another family can put them to use.