Turn your trash into treasure

There are many reasons why upcycling is better than buying new, writes

We’ve all got friends who can transform the ugliest piece of junk into a work of art they could’ve bought from a designer store. But when we consider doing the same, we remember that arts and crafts was never our strength at school.

But upcycling is less about being crafty and more about what the final product can do for you. Here are five reasons why you should take upcycling more seriously.

Win great prizes in the Resene Upcycling Awards

This month, Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis to turn their trash into treasure. Show us the creative ways you’re reusing and upcycling items in your home and garden, and you could win some great prizes. Find out more about the Resene Upcycling Awards, how you can enter and what you could win at neighbourly.co.nz/ reseneupcyclingawards.

Save money

A new bed for your 3-year-old could set you back a few hundred dollars. But a bed base made out of old crates and some pieces of wood you found in the garage, then painted a bright colour and festooned with fairy lights could cost a fraction of that – and look much cooler. Upcycling enables homeowners to be the proud owners of stunning home and garden features without breaking the bank.

Earn money

Upcycling requires time, effort and patience to perfect. But if you discover that you’re a pro at transforming tyres into plant pots, T-shirts into rugs or suitcases into coffee tables, you could make some money out of your new-found skillset. Set up an online store, book a spot at your local market or advertise your wares on Neighbourly; you might be surprised how many other people like your work too.

Make your home your own

Furniture stores are home to beautiful pieces, but purchasing from these stores can result in homes that look similar. Upcycling gives homeowners creative licence to make stunning pieces that match their personality and can’t be bought off the shelf. A wall-hanging herb planter made out of empty wine bottles and painted in your favourite colour could make a much bigger statement than a generic herb garden you bought from a store.

Keep rubbish out of landfills

Upcycling isn’t just about what you can do for yourself; it’s also about what you can do for the environment. The more you turn trash that would otherwise sit in our landfills into something that’s usable and useful, the happier Mother Nature will be. Need a hand to get started with your next upcycling project? Dig through your garage; you might be surprised how much transformable junk you find. Have a specific project in mind? Ask on Neighbourly; your neighbour might have an old tyre, a bag of glass bottles or a pile of wooden beer crates they’d be happy for you to have.

STUFF Upcycling items on a boundary wall that are being used as plant holders.